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:
Praying two Rak'ahs after Tawaf is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (strongly recommended) according to all four Sunni schools. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regularly performed them, usually behind Maqam Ibrahim.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Praying two Rak`ahs after Tawaf is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (strongly recommended), not wajib (obligatory). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often prayed these Rak`ahs, usually behind Maqam Ibrahim, showing its value without making it mandatory.
All four major Sunni schools say this prayer is highly recommended but not required. Skipping it does not invalidate Tawaf or bring sin. While it is a good practice and follows the Prophet’s way, you can delay or skip it due to crowds or other issues. This shows flexibility during Hajj.
- How to Perform Tawaf: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Why Do We Do Tawaf 7 Times?
- Do I Interrupt Tawaf or Sa`i When Iqamah for Prayer Is Called?
- Farewell Tawaf: Obligatory for the People of Jeddah?
- Can We Do Tawaf with Shoes?
- Should We Walk Backwards to Face Kabah After Farewell Tawaf?
Almighty Allah knows best.