Q. Can a person perform the Tawaaf of Umrah after Fajr and Asr? If so, can a person perform the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf after Fajr and Asr? If not? Can a person continue with the Saee’ after Fajr and Asr without performing the two Raka’ats after Tawaaf?
A. It is permissible to perform the Tawaaf of Umrah after Fajr and Asr. However, it is Makrooh (disliked) to perform the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf after Fajr and Asr as Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam prevented us from doing so.
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbaas Radhiyallahu Anhuma narrates that a group of reliable people testified before me, and amongst them was Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu, and he was the most reliable in my eyes, reported that, “Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam forbade praying (Nafl, Sunnats etc.) after the Fajr prayer till the sun rises and after the ‘Asr prayer till the sun sets.” (Bukhari)
Hence, if a person performs the Tawaaf of Umrah after Fajr and Asr, the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf should be postponed and performed after sunrise and after the Fardh of Maghrib Salaah (before the Sunnats of Maghrib Salaah) respectively. In normal circumstances, it will be Makrooh (disliked) to postpone the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf of each Tawaaf performed to any other time. (Shaami 2/499)
In the above circumstances, a person may perform multiple Tawaafs and postpone and perform the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf for each Tawaaf performed after sunrise or after the Fardh of Maghrib Salaah respectively. One may also perform the Saee’ of Tawaaf as well in this time. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 10/350)
Note: If the two Raka’ats of Tawaaf are performed after Fajr and Asr, it would be valid but it should be repeated.
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa