Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Perhaps a short-sighted person may be surprised after reading this chapter, but the leader of jurists and hadith scholars, Hazrat Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, has a profound perspective that encompasses the entire Islamic world, and he observes that it is possible there are many mosques which are constructed in the form of a long, expansive enclosure.
Now, if a villager were to enter there along with his camel, what would be the legal ruling for him?
The Imam wishes to clarify that in the era of the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, even Masjid al-Haram had this very layout.
Thus, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself, on one occasion out of necessity, performed tawaf of the Ka‘bah while mounted on a camel, and he also instructed Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha, due to illness, to perform tawaf riding on a camel behind the people.
Ibn Battal rahimahullah said that it is permissible and correct to bring lawful animals into the mosque.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah states that when there is a fear of the mosque becoming soiled, then the animal should not be brought into the mosque.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The intention of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah is clear: if, due to some necessity, it becomes required to bring a mount into the mosque, then there is no harm in it. Although during the era of the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, there was no wall around the Ka'bah, and Muslims used to pray around the House of Allah in open ground, later, when Umar radi Allahu anhu felt it was becoming constricted, he expanded it and had walls constructed on all four sides.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Manaqib al-Ansar, Hadith: 3805)
However, due to houses and settlements on all sides, the boundaries of Masjid al-Haram around the Ka'bah were defined.
In any case, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah's point is established: in a situation of necessity, a mount can be brought into the mosque.
This is evident from the action of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and from his permission to Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha.

2.
Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi rahimahullah has written an explanation for the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam performing tawaf on a mount in his Sharh Tarajim Bukhari. He states:
"The incident of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam remaining mounted during tawaf pertains to the event of ‘Umrat al-Qada’.
The reason for this was that there was a danger of mischief and cunning from the polytheists.
Because the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam remained mounted, they were not able to overpower him."

Hadith Commentary:
Hazrat Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha was unable to perform the circumambulation (tawaf) with the people due to illness, so she asked the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam about this issue. Thus, in one narration, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam intended to depart for Makkah on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada’), while Hazrat Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha, due to illness, was unable to perform the Farewell Circumambulation (Tawaf al-Wada’). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“When the morning prayer is established, complete your circumambulation riding on your camel from behind the people.”

Accordingly, she completed her circumambulation while the people were performing the prayer, and she performed the two units (rak‘ahs) of tawaf outside.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Hadith: 1626)

From this detailed narration, it is understood that in case of necessity, the two units (rak‘ahs) of tawaf can be delayed and they can also be performed outside the House of Allah (Baytullah).

And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration of Sahih al-Bukhari, it is explicitly mentioned that when Umm Salamah (radi Allahu anha) performed tawaf, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was leading the people in the morning prayer.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Hadith: 1626)
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed her to perform tawaf from the rear of the people so that the rows would not be disrupted; furthermore, this entailed greater concealment (modesty).
Additionally, the purpose was also to prevent intermingling with the people, thus women should remain separate from men while performing tawaf.

(2)
From this hadith, Imam al-Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established that due to an excuse, it is permissible to perform tawaf of the House of Allah while mounted; however, the jurists (fuqaha) have also deemed it permissible to perform tawaf while mounted even without an excuse, although performing tawaf on foot is better and more virtuous.
According to us, the use of a mount for tawaf was at a time when the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) did not have enclosing walls.
Now that there are enclosing walls, in these circumstances, bringing a mount into Masjid al-Haram is contrary to both reason and transmitted evidence, because doing so does not preserve the sanctity of the mosque, and there is also the risk of impurity spreading due to the animal’s dung and droppings, etc.
(Fath al-Bari: 3/619)
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
The area of the Mataf (circumambulation space) is spacious.
Aisha (radi Allahu anha) would perform tawaf (circumambulation) separately on one side, and men would also continue performing tawaf.
In some manuscripts, the word "hajzaha" appears with a "za", meaning she would perform tawaf behind a partition.
Nowadays, the Saudi government has made the Mataf, indeed the entire area, so spacious and magnificent that one is left astonished upon seeing it.
Ayyadahum Allahu binasrihil aziz, ameen.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
From this hadith, it is also understood that women may perform tawaf along with men, but they should avoid intermingling. Thus, Sayyidah Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha completed her tawaf while the men were performing theirs, but she fulfilled this obligation by staying behind them, because during tawaf, women should remain separate from men.

(2)
It is also understood from this that due to some excuse, tawaf may be performed while riding (on a mount). However, nowadays it is impossible to perform tawaf while mounted on an animal, but a person may carry another on their shoulders and perform tawaf. Nevertheless, it is a matter of discussion whether, by doing so, the tawaf will be counted for both the carrier and the one being carried, or only for one of them? And will the other have to repeat the tawaf? In our view, the tawaf will be counted for both at the same time.
And Allah knows best.

(3)
In one narration, it is clarified that on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada’), the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam instructed Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha regarding the tawaf al-wada’ that when the morning prayer is established, she should complete her tawaf while riding, from behind the people.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Hadith: 1626)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: From these ahadith, it is understood that, in case of necessity, it is permissible to perform tawaf of the House of Allah (Baytullah) and sa’i between Safa and Marwah while riding on something, just as nowadays the sick, weak, and elderly people perform tawaf while riding on a palanquin or cart. Similarly, if there is a crowd, a scholar may sit on an elevated place to answer questions in order to clarify issues. And, out of necessity, lawful animals may be brought into the mosque.

From the narration of Imam Muslim rahimahullah, it is understood that women should perform tawaf separately from men and should not unnecessarily mix with them. If one is unable to kiss the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), then one may touch it with a stick and kiss the stick.

1882. Commentary: Performing tawaf on a mount was not an exclusive characteristic of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam); rather, every person with a valid excuse is granted this concession.
➋ In tawaf, women should, as much as possible, avoid mixing with men.
➌ It is not obligatory for women to join the congregation of men.

(1) A sick person may perform tawaf while riding, provided that the mount does not violate the sanctity of the Ka'bah and does not cause harm to those praying or performing tawaf.

(2) In case of necessity, tawaf may be performed during prayer times, but this tawaf should be done behind those who are praying. (For further details, see Hadith number: 2931)

(1) This was the morning (Fajr) prayer.

(2) The instruction given to Umm Salamah (radi Allahu anha) to perform circumambulation (tawaf) from the upper level was not due to the need to keep her away from men, but rather in consideration of her illness. The rest of the women performed tawaf together with the men. The sanctity of this place is such that, despite performing tawaf together, minds do not wander elsewhere. This is the reason that hundreds of years have passed with men and women performing tawaf together, yet no one has ever had any complaint, even though during the days of Hajj there is intense crowding of men and women during tawaf. Truly, the Exalted Lord has spoken the truth: ﴿فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا﴾ () Indeed, the world is incapable of presenting an example of such magnificent sanctity.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ It is permissible to perform tawaf (circumambulation) while riding due to a valid excuse.

➋ Nowadays, elderly individuals who are unable to perform tawaf on foot complete it on a palanquin or similar conveyance. In light of this hadith, their action is correct. Similarly, in cases of extreme crowding and congestion, the two rak‘ahs of tawaf may also be performed outside the mosque. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Chapter: Whoever performed the two rak‘ahs of tawaf outside the mosque, Hadith: 1626)

➌ The prayer mentioned in the hadith refers to the Fajr prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari, reference as above)

➍ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself once performed tawaf while riding a she-camel. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Chapter: The sick person performing tawaf while riding, Hadith: 1632; Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Manasik, Chapter: 28, Hadith: 2948/2949)

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه البخاري 464، ومسلم 1276، من حديث مالك به]

Jurisprudential Understanding
➊ There is consensus that an excused or ill person may perform the circumambulation (tawaf) of the House of Allah and the sa'i between Safa and Marwah on a riding mount (such as a chair, handcart, etc.). See: [التمهيد 13/99،]
➋ According to the preferred opinion, this was the morning (Fajr) prayer that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was leading.
➌ Just as in prayer women stand behind the rows of men, likewise during tawaf they should perform the circumambulation separated from and behind the men. If separate arrangements for tawaf are not possible, then due to necessity, it is permissible for women to perform tawaf with the men, while remaining apart, as is established by the hadith in Sahih Bukhari [1618].
➍ It is not obligatory for a woman to participate in congregational prayer, whether it is in the mosque or elsewhere.