The virtue of tawaaf around the sacred House

Praise
be to Allah

Tawaaf or circumambulation of the Ka‘bah is a great act of
worship, and is one of the visible symbols of Islam. It has been prescribed
since the Ka‘bah was built. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation
of the meaning):

“and We
commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael) that they should purify My
House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or
staying (Itikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer)”

[al-Baqarah 2:125]

“And
(remember) when We showed Ibrahim (Abraham) the site of the (Sacred) House
(the Ka‘bah at Makkah) (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with
Me, (La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah
Islamic Monotheism), and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it,
and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with
humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.)”

[al-Hajj 22:26]. 

There are a number of hadiths and reports which speak of the
virtues of circumambulating the House (tawaaf), of which we will mention the
following: 

It was narrated by Imam Ahmad (4462), at-Tirmidhi (959) and
an-Nasaa’i (866) that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said with
regard to touching the Black Stone and Yemeni Corner in tawaaf: I heard the
Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Touching
them erases sins.” 

He said: And I heard him say: “Whoever circumambulates (the
Ka‘bah) seven times, counting them, and then prays two rak‘ahs (after tawaaf)
it will be equivalent to his freeing a believing slave.” 

He said: And I heard him say: “No man lifts his foot and sets
it down but ten hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and ten
sayi’aat (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and he will be raised
thereby ten degrees in status.” 

Classed as hasan by Ahmad Shaakir and al-Arna’oot in
Tahqeeq al-Musnad 

The version narrated by at-Tirmidhi says: “He does not set
down one foot and lift the other but Allah will erase one sin from his
record and will record for him one hasanah (good deed) thereby.” Classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi. 

As-Sindi said:

It – namely tawaaf – is equivalent to freeing a slave, in
terms of reward. 

Abu Dawood (1888) and at-Tirmidhi (902) narrated that
‘Aa’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) said: “Circumambulation of the House, going between as-Safa and al-Marwah,
and stoning of the Jamaraat were only ordained in order to establish the
remembrance of Allah.” 

Classed as saheeh by at-Tirmidhi and by Ibn Qudaamah in
al-Kaafi (1/516). Ibn Baaz said in his Fataawa (16/186): It is
thaabit (proven). It was classed as da‘eef by al-Albaani in Da‘eef Abi
Dawood. 

An-Nasaa’i (2922) and Ahmad (15423) narrated from Tawoos,
from a man who met the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him),
that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Tawaaf is
prayer, so when you do tawaaf, speak little.” 

It was also narrated by at-Tirmidhi (960), from Ibn ‘Abbaas,
that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Tawaaf
around the House is like prayer, except that you may speak during it. So
whoever speaks during it, let him not speak of anything but what is good.” 

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.

For more information please see the answer to question no.
34695

And Allah knows best.