Praise be to Allaah.

There are many types of tawaaf around the Ka’bah: 

Tawaaf al-ifaadah during Hajj, which is also called tawaaf al-ziyaarah (tawaaf of visiting). It takes place after the standing in ‘Arafah, on the day of al-Adha or after it. It is one of the pillars or essential parts of the Hajj. 

Tawaaf al-qudoom (tawaaf of arrival) for Hajj. This is done by the pilgrim who has entered ihraam for Hajj and by the pilgrim who is doing Qiraan, i.e., joining ‘Umrah and Hajj, when he reaches the Ka’bah. It is one of the obligatory duties or Sunnahs of Hajj – there is a difference of scholarly opinion. 

The tawaaf of ‘Umrah. It is one of the pillars or essential parts of ‘Umrah, which is not valid without it. 

Tawaaf al-wadaa’ (the farewell tawaaf), which is done after completing the actions of Hajj and when one has decided to leave Makkah al-Mukarramah. It is obligatory, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, for all pilgrims except women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth, and the one who fails to do it must sacrifice an animal of the type that is valid as an udhiyah. 

Tawaaf in fulfilment of a vow made by one who vowed to circumambulate the Ka’bah. It is obligatory because of the vow. 

Voluntary tawaaf. 

Each of these tawaafs must include seven circuits, after which the person offers two rak’ahs behind Maqaam Ibraaheem, if possible; if he cannot do that then he may offer the prayer in any other part of the mosque. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas. 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan