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.
In this fatwa:
Tawaf around the Ka’bah must consist of exactly seven circuits according to the Sunnah and the consensus of the four major Sunni schools. Completing fewer than seven rounds invalidates the Tawaf, while any additional rounds are considered voluntary.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Yes, Tawaf around the Ka`bah always has to be seven circuits. So, you are not allowed to alter the prescribed way and do the fewer circuits.
This is a key part of the ritual, based on the Sunnah and supported by scholars.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Make Tawaf of the Ka`bah seven circuits” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). His Companions followed this practice, and it remains unchanged. Doing fewer than seven circuits invalidates the Tawaf.
You can do more than seven as extra, but only the first seven count for the obligation. All four major Sunni schools agree on the need for seven circuits. Pilgrims must complete exactly seven circuits for any required Tawaf.
👉 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?
- Is Tawaf Al-Wada` Required for `Umrah?
- Is Hajj Valid If Sa`i Done after Farewell Tawaf?
- Is It Permissible to Interrupt Tawaf for Prayer?
- When to Uncover Your Right Shoulder in Tawaf
Almighty Allah knows best.