11/49. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1881 — Tawaf While Ill
Regarding The Obligatory Tawaf
Tawaf While Ill: A Clear Hadith About Ease in Worship
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1881
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1881
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي زِيَادٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدِمَ مَكَّةَ وَهُوَ يَشْتَكِي فَطَافَ عَلَى رَاحِلَتِهِ كُلَّمَا أَتَى عَلَى الرُّكْنِ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ بِمِحْجَنٍ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ طَوَافِهِ أَنَاخَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
When the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) came to Makkah he was ill. So, he performed the circumambulation on his Camel. He touched the corner (Black Stone) with a crooked stick as often as he came to it. When he finished the circumambulation, he made his Camel kneel down and offered two rak’ahs of prayer.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1881In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 161English translation : Book 10, Hadith 1876
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1881
This hadith about tawaf while ill shows a simple and practical scene from the Prophet’s pilgrimage practice. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came to Makkah while unwell, he performed circumambulation on his camel. Each time he reached the corner of the Black Stone, he touched it with a crooked stick. After finishing tawaf, he made his camel kneel and prayed two rak’ahs. The core message is that worship is still honored even when a person is facing weakness. The text also shows care for the rites of tawaf, touching the Black Stone, and praying after tawaf, without adding hardship beyond the situation.
What we learn from this hadith
- Illness did not stop the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم from completing tawaf when he was able to do it.
- The Black Stone was touched with a stick when direct contact was not described.
- Two rak’ahs were prayed after the circumambulation was completed.
