Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

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In this fatwa:

Tawaf al-Ifadah is an essential ritual of Hajj that must be completed for the Hajj to be valid. While the best time to perform it is between the 10th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, most scholars permit delaying it until before leaving Makkah without penalty.

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Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Ṭawaf Al-Ifaḍah is a key ritual in Hajj. It marks the pilgrim’s return to the Ka`bah after the rites at `Arafah. This act has deep spiritual meaning. It also lifts most Ihram (sacred state) restrictions, especially those about spousal intimacy. Completing this rite is essential for Hajj.

Islamic jurisprudence sets specific times for Ṭawaf Al-Ifaḍah, balancing ideal practice with needed flexibility:

• Optimal Period: The best time is the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, following the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) example after the Jamarat (stoning) and sacrifice.
• Extended Period: You can perform it until the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah without penalty (Dam). This flexibility is supported by many Companions and scholars like Ibn Al-Mundhir and Imam An-Nawawi.
• Most scholars, such as the Shafi`i and Hanbali Schools, allow it anytime before leaving Makkah. This is true even before the month of Dhul-Hijjah ends, without penalty. However, the Maliki School states that delaying it until the end of Dhul-Hijjah requires an expiation (Hadi).

This flexibility shows Islamic law’s principle of facilitation. It helps address practical issues like crowding or illness while keeping the sacred duty intact.

It’s important to remember that some Ihram restrictions, especially concerning spousal relations, stay in place until Ṭawaf Al-Ifaḍah is done. The Hajj is incomplete without this rite. If anyone skips it, they must return to Makkah to perform it before leaving.

In conclusion, while the best time for Ṭawaf al-Ifaḍah is between the 10th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, most scholars allow it to be done later before leaving Makkah without penalty. This approach shows the compassionate and practical nature of Islamic law, helping pilgrims fulfill their duties within reasonable limits.

Read also:

• Sunnah Acts of Tawaf
• What If Wudu Breaks during Tawaf?
• What Is the Etiquette of Performing Tawaf?
• Is Tawaf Al-Ifadah Part of Hajj?

Almighty Allah knows best.