The Tawaf Guide
Tawaf is circling the Kaaba seven times, counter-clockwise, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) corner with the Kaaba on your left. After completing it, you pray two rak'ah near Maqam Ibrahim.
How many circuits?
Tawaf is seven complete circuits of the Kaaba. Each circuit begins at the corner of the Black Stone and ends there. Keep the Kaaba on your left throughout.
At the start of each circuit, face the Black Stone and greet it — by kissing it if you can reach it safely, or simply by raising your hand towards it and saying 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar'. In heavy crowds, never push or harm others to reach it; pointing from a distance is enough.
After Tawaf
After the seventh circuit, pray two rak'ah, ideally behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded). Then drink Zamzam water. Throughout Tawaf you may make du'a and dhikr in any language — there is no fixed prayer required for each circuit.
Common questions
What if I lose count of the circuits?
Build on the smaller number you are certain of and complete seven. Walking with the group behind your leader makes this easy — which is exactly why guided Tawaf matters.