Answered by: Maulana Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Question:
Can we talk (or hold conversations with people next to us) during Tawaf in Umrah or Hajj?
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Tawaf in the house of Allah is one of the obligatory acts for Hajj and Umrah. It must be done with sincerity, humility and submissiveness. Ata bin Abi Rabaah said: “I performed Tawaf behind Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas, I did not hear any of them conversing until they completed.” [MaaSahha min Aathaar As-Sahabati fil Fiqhi: 2224, vol: 2, page: 316, publisher: Darul Awraaq Ath-Thaqafiyyah]
However, one is allowed to talk if it is beneficial and the evidences for it are followings:
(1) It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet Sallahu Alahi Wasalam passed by while he was circumnutating the Ka’bah with a man who was leading another with a ring in his nose. The Messenger of Allah stopped him with his hand then told him to lead him by his hand.[Sunan An-Nasai: 2923, Chapter: Speaking During Tawaf]
(2) It was narrated that Ibn Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah passed by a man who was leading another man with something that he stipulated in a vow. The Prophet took it and broke it, and he said: It is a vow.[Sunan An-Nasai: 2924, Chapter: Speaking During Tawaf]
Abdullah Ibn Umar said “speak little when you are performing Tawaf for you are in a state of salah.” [Sunan An-Nasai:2926, Chapter: It is Permissible to speak during Tawaf.]
(3) From Suhail bin Zakwan Abu saleh As-samman from his father, he said: `I saw Abdullah ibn Amar, Ibn Zubayer and Ibn Abbas conversing in circling the Kaba.’ [2225]
(4) From Nafi, he said: Ibn Umar used to talk during Tawaf. [2276]
(5) From Abu lAaliah, he said: Ibn Abbas held my hand while I was performing Tawaf and taught me speaking melody (lihnulkalam). [2227]
(6) From Abu Sufyan Talaha bin Nafi , he said: I met Abdullah Ibn Zubayer and Ubaidullah ibn Umair when they were performing Tawaf of the Kaba and conversing. [2228]
(7) From Ibrahim bin Mysarah, he said I performed circling of The House of Allah with Tawus, he said to me Indeed, Ibn Abbas said “if you perform Tawaf engage less in conversation, for it is lake prayer.” [2222]
[See for no. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 MaaSahha min Aathaar As-Sahabati fil Fiqhi, vol: 2, page: 316-317, publisher: Darul Awraaq Ath-Thaqafiyyah]
In conclusion, Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet said: “Tawaf around the House is similar to Salah except that you talk during it. So whoever talks in it, then let him not say but good.” Abu Esa At-Tirmidhi said: . . . . . . . . This is acted upon according to most of the people of knowledge. They consider it recommended that a man not speak during Tawaf except when necessary, or for remembrance of Allah, or when it is regarding knowledge. [Tirmidhi: 960]
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Maulana Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham