The criterion for validity of Tawaf, by the completion of four times or more than half

The present study investigates the law on the continuation of obligatory circumambulation (Tawaf) interrupted due to the occurrence of an excuse. The findings reported through a documentary and library-based research adopting a content analysis approach show that if the religiously responsible adult (Mukalaf) has done circumambulation (Tawaf) three and half times, resuming Tawaf,after the excuse is removed, is valid according to some Islamic jurist; while, is void according to others. The source of controversy is the narrations some of which consider Tawaf valid and fit to be resumed by completing more than half circumambulations and some others the completion of four circumambulations. Considering the said narrations show that Imam’s reasons for the validity of an incomplete Tawaf, based on the phrase “لانها زادت علی النصف” or “done more than half” as well as the recurrence of “done more than half” in some narrations, manifest in asserting the basis of the ruling and the general criterion for interrupting Tawaf. Thus, the verdicts of jurists who believe doing circumambulation for three and half times is valid and fit to be resumed is more feasible. Also, it can be argued that the wording of the narrations in which completion of the fourth circumambulation is emphasized is not the language for asserting the criterion. Thus, the narrations demonstrating the criterion may customarily form the basis for interpreting such narrations.