Source: Urdu Explanation of ‘Umdat al-Aḥkām from the Sayings of the Best of Mankind — Translation: Ḥāfiẓ Faizullah Nāṣir
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions arrived in Makkah, the polytheists said: 'A people are coming to you who have been weakened by the fever of Yathrib.' So the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to perform Raml (brisk walk with short steps and swinging shoulders) in the first three circuits of Ṭawāf, and to walk normally between the two corners. He did not order Raml in all seven rounds out of consideration for them."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1565 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1266]
وَهَنَتْهُم – They were weakened.
الرمل – A brisk walk with short steps while lifting the chest and swinging the shoulders, intended to demonstrate strength.
الرُكنين – Refers to the two Yemeni corners of the Kaʿbah.
الإبقاء عليهم – Out of compassion and ease for them.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed Raml to refute the claim of the polytheists who thought Muslims had become weak due to the climate of Madinah. This act was later continued as a Sunnah, and is still practiced during the first three circuits of Ṭawāf.
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he arrived in Makkah, he kissed the Black Stone and performed Raml in the first three rounds of Ṭawāf."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1603 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1261]
This narration confirms the Prophet’s ﷺ personal practice of performing Raml, giving it both verbal and practical legitimacy.
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"During the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ performed Ṭawāf on a camel and used a hooked staff to touch the Black Stone."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1530 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1272]
According to Imām Aḥmad, the Prophet ﷺ performed Ṭawāf mounted to teach the ritual to the people. This indicates that teaching from an elevated position is permissible if intended for educational benefit.
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"I did not see the Prophet ﷺ touching any part of the Kaʿbah except the two Yemeni corners."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1529 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1267]
In another narration, Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions:
"The Prophet ﷺ never left touching the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner during his Ṭawāf."
[Musnad Aḥmad: 2/17 – Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1876]
Summary of How to Perform Raml:
① Begin Ṭawāf by facing the Black Stone, perform Istilām (touch or gesture)
② In the first three circuits, perform Raml: walk briskly with short steps, chest forward, shoulders slightly swinging
③ Between the two Yemeni corners, walk normally
④ In the last four circuits, walk at normal pace
⑤ This applies to the Ṭawāf of arrival (Ṭawāf al-Qudūm) or when performing ʿUmrah
✦ Fifth Ḥadīth:
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions arrived in Makkah, the polytheists said: 'A people are coming to you who have been weakened by the fever of Yathrib.' So the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to perform Raml (brisk walk with short steps and swinging shoulders) in the first three circuits of Ṭawāf, and to walk normally between the two corners. He did not order Raml in all seven rounds out of consideration for them."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1565 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1266]
✦ Explanation of Vocabulary:
وَهَنَتْهُم – They were weakened.
الرمل – A brisk walk with short steps while lifting the chest and swinging the shoulders, intended to demonstrate strength.
الرُكنين – Refers to the two Yemeni corners of the Kaʿbah.
الإبقاء عليهم – Out of compassion and ease for them.
✦ Explanation of the Ḥadīth:
The Prophet ﷺ instructed Raml to refute the claim of the polytheists who thought Muslims had become weak due to the climate of Madinah. This act was later continued as a Sunnah, and is still practiced during the first three circuits of Ṭawāf.
✦ Sixth Ḥadīth:
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he arrived in Makkah, he kissed the Black Stone and performed Raml in the first three rounds of Ṭawāf."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1603 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1261]
✦ Explanation:
This narration confirms the Prophet’s ﷺ personal practice of performing Raml, giving it both verbal and practical legitimacy.
✦ Seventh Ḥadīth:
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"During the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ performed Ṭawāf on a camel and used a hooked staff to touch the Black Stone."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1530 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1272]
✦ Explanation:
According to Imām Aḥmad, the Prophet ﷺ performed Ṭawāf mounted to teach the ritual to the people. This indicates that teaching from an elevated position is permissible if intended for educational benefit.
✦ Eighth Ḥadīth:
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
"I did not see the Prophet ﷺ touching any part of the Kaʿbah except the two Yemeni corners."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1529 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1267]
✦ Explanation:
In another narration, Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions:
"The Prophet ﷺ never left touching the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner during his Ṭawāf."
[Musnad Aḥmad: 2/17 – Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1876]
Summary of How to Perform Raml:
① Begin Ṭawāf by facing the Black Stone, perform Istilām (touch or gesture)
② In the first three circuits, perform Raml: walk briskly with short steps, chest forward, shoulders slightly swinging
③ Between the two Yemeni corners, walk normally
④ In the last four circuits, walk at normal pace
⑤ This applies to the Ṭawāf of arrival (Ṭawāf al-Qudūm) or when performing ʿUmrah
