or at its zenith until it passes, and when it inclines toward setting until it sets.” (1) It is therefore permissible to perform the two rak'ahs of tawaf during these times. Thus, if a person completes tawaf after sunrise but before the sun has risen to the height of a spear, he may perform the two rak'ahs of tawaf; and if he completes tawaf when the sun inclines toward setting, he may likewise perform the two rak'ahs of tawaf.

The evidence is the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “O sons of Abd Manaf, do not prevent anyone from circumambulating this House and praying therein at whatever hour of the night or day he wishes.” (2) He said, “at whatever hour of the night or day he wishes,” and this explicitly means that they may not prevent anyone from circumambulating this House at any hour whatsoever—neither after Asr, nor after Fajr, nor at any other time.

However, the use of this hadith as evidence may be challenged. It may be said: this hadith is addressed to those charged with the care of the House, and they are not permitted to prevent anyone from performing tawaf or praying therein; yet the legal ruling prohibiting prayer at the prohibited times still remains.

Furthermore, if we were to take the hadith in its general sense, it would indicate that prayer in the Sacred Mosque is not prohibited, whether it is the two rak'ahs of tawaf or otherwise, for he said: “circumambulating this House and praying therein.”