What to Say During Tawaf: Authentic Du'as & Dhikr Guide

Learn what to say during Tawaf according to the authentic Sunnah. Discover duas, dhikr, and Quran recitation.

Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his companions.


A widespread innovation among pilgrims today is the reliance on booklets that prescribe a specific supplication (Du'a) for the first circuit of Tawaf, a different one for the second, and so on. The investigating scholars of the Salaf have categorically clarified that this has no basis in the authentic Sunnah.


Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) stated explicitly:

In Tawaf, there is no specific Dhikr that was narrated from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he either enjoined, said, or taught. Rather, whilst doing Tawaf, the pilgrim may offer any Islamically-prescribed Du'a. What many people mention of a specific Du'a to be recited beneath the Mizab (downspout) and the like, has no basis... There is no specific Dhikr required in Tawaf, according to the consensus of the leading scholars.
Majmu' al-Fatawa

The Two Established Sunnahs of Tawaf


According to the authentic narrations, there are only two specific phrases Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited at particular points during his circumambulation:


1. At the Black Stone:

Whenever Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came in line with the Black Stone, he would point to it and say the Takbir: "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).
Sahih al-Bukhari

2. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone: During the final stretch of each circuit, between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would end his round by reciting:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qinna 'adhab an-nar."
(Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire!)
Masnada Imam Ahmad | classed as Sahih

What to Say During the Rest of the Tawaf?


For the remainder of the Tawaf, the time is yours to converse with Allah in the language and words you understand best.


Imam Ibn Qudamah (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) explained:

It is Mustahabb (highly recommended) to offer supplication (Du'a) and remember Allah a great deal (Dhikr) whilst doing Tawaf, because that is Mustahabb in all circumstances, so in the case of this act of worship it is even more apt. It is also Mustahabb to refrain from speaking, apart from remembering Allah, reciting Quran, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, or saying what cannot be avoided.
Al-Mughni


Likewise, Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) confirmed:

There is no report from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to suggest that there is a specific Du'a to be recited in each circuit of Tawaf. Based on that, the one who is circumambulating the Ka'bah may offer whatever supplication he likes... and remember Allah by reciting any prescribed Dhikr, such as saying Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar, or reciting Quran.

Therefore, abandon the fabricated booklets and use this precious time to sincerely ask Allah for the forgiveness of your sins, the well-being of your family, and salvation in the Hereafter.


And Allah the Exalted knows best.