3. Performing Tawaf ( Circumambulating the Ka'bah)

It is impermissible for one in a state of minor or major ritual impurity to perform tawaf, for the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

" Tawaf is ( considered ) a prayer; the difference is that Allah made it lawful to speak during it."

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform ablution before performing tawaf. It was also authentically narrated that he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade a menstruating woman to perform tawaf unless she purified herself. All of the above shows that one in a state of minor or major ritual impurity is prohibited to perform tawaf unless one purifies oneself.

Among the proofs that one in a state of major ritual impurity is prohibited to perform tawaf is the following Quranic verse:

"O you who believe! Approach not As­Salāt (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janāba, (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body." (Quran:An-Nisa: 43)

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