Can you drink water during Tawaf?

As we know, Hajj and Umrah are long and arduous journeys. Many physically weak pilgrims become tired and are compelled to stop while making these holy pilgrimages. Additionally, Mecca has extremely hot weather, and many pilgrims become thirsty due to its severe weather. In this case, consider this topic for more information, “Can you drink water during Tawaf?”

Tawaf is one of the fundamental rituals of the pilgrimage and refers to circumambulating the Kaaba or walking in rounds around it anti-clockwise. Seven full rounds, each starting and ending at the Hajar Aswad, make up one Tawaf.

There is nothing wrong with drinking water during Tawaf, and it is not sinful in the sense of being disliked. However, it is preferable to refrain from doing so because this is not better in terms of etiquette for a holy journey to Mecca.

Drinking water during Tawaf

It is permissible to drink water while encircling the Kaaba if there is a need to. If one needs to leave the place where he performs Tawaf, he might continue his circumambulation from where he left off. But this interruption should not be excessively long or sudden.

Most of the people book their Umrah Packages to drink sacred Zam Zam water. It is purified from all diseases.

According to many scholars, eating, drinking, sleeping, or talking do not spoil Tawaf.

The act of eating while circumambulating the Kaaba is disliked, however, drinking is less strongly disapproved upon. But Tawaf is not invalid by either or both of these actions.

Drinking water during Tawaf is not forbidden and is not sinful in the sense that it should be avoided. However, it is better to avoid doing so because it is not appropriate for a spiritual trip to do so.

Is it acceptable to pause Tawaf to drink Zamzam water?

It is Sunnah to undertake the seven rounds of circumambulation continuously, without interruption, and without pausing. However, it is acceptable to pause Tawaf briefly for a need, like drinking Zamzam water. This main rite of pilgrimage should be resumed from where it was left off. It is not preferable to have lengthy breaks between circles without any need.

Taking a break during Tawaf

A pilgrim must repeat the circumambulation and start over if the break was much longer, an hour or two. But if the break was only brief, there is nothing wrong with that. This is due to the necessity for actions in Tawaf and Sa’i to be sequential, which means that the rounds take place one after the other.

The first rounds are therefore declared void if there is a long break, and he must restart encircling the Kaaba. However, there is nothing wrong with that if the respite was short, like if he sat down for two or three minutes before finishing.

Forbidden actions of Tawaf

Pilgrims cannot perform the following actions while they are around the Kaaba:

To circumambulate the Kaaba in a state of ritual impurity
Performing Tawaf in the opposite (i.e. clockwise) direction
Passing through the Hateem during circumambulation
Starting encircling the Kaaba in a place other than the Hajar Aswad
Skipping any of the mandatory elements of Tawaf

Conclusion

Tawaf is one of the most significant rites of Hajj and Umrah. It is performed in an anti-clockwise direction, making a full round each time the pilgrim returns to the Hajar Aswad.

Hajj and Umrah are long and laborious trips. Many physically weak pilgrims become exhausted and are compelled to stop while undertaking these holy journeys. Furthermore, Mecca has extremely hot weather, and numerous people become thirsty due to its harsh weather.

Drinking water is not prohibited or immoral during Tawaf in the sense that it should abstain.

Note: Make sure the Company with which you have booked your Umrah Packages 2023 are protected by ATOL and IATA.