Q 2: I used to instruct pilgrims performing ‘Umrah that they have to perform Tawaf-ul-Wada‘ (circumambulation of the Ka‘bah on leaving Makkah) when leaving the Sacred City (Makkah), but I heard that there is no Tawaf-ul-Wada‘ for ‘Umrah. I hope you can give me a detailed explanation about this issue.

A: Performing Tawaf-ul-Wada‘ is obligatory for whoever makes Hajj to Allah's Sacred House when they want to depart. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "The people were commanded that the last thing they should do is to circumambulate the House, but an exception was made for menstruating women." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) He also said: The people used to return from every path, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘None among you should depart until the last thing they do is to circumambulate the House.’ (Related by Ahmad and Muslim) Based on the context, this is a command to the pilgrims performing Hajj, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said it at the end of Hajj, as directions to the pilgrims performing Hajj.Pilgrims performing ‘Umrah do not have to perform Tawaf-ul-Wada‘, but it is an act of Sunnah for them to circumambulate the Ka‘bah when they want to leave. There is no evidence that it is obligatory. In addition, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not perform Tawaf-ul-Wada‘ when he left Makkah (Part No. 11; Page No. 337) after performing ‘Umrat-ul-Qada’ (‘Umrah performed instead of the ‘Umrah the Prophet was prevented from completing), as far as we know from his Sunnah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.