of the House is prayer, except that Allah has permitted speech during it.” According to the scholars of legal theory, an exception is an indicator of generality; that is, when something is stated and something else is excluded from it, this shows that all remaining cases not excluded are included in what is being qualified. Thus, it is general except in the case excluded. Here, however, it cannot be said that circumambulation of the House is prayer in every respect except for speech, because it differs from prayer in many matters besides speech.

Among these is that standing is not a condition for it, whereas standing is a condition in prayer. Thus, if a person were to perform tawaf crawling, his tawaf would be valid.

Another is that it does not require a takbir, whereas prayer requires the opening takbir.

Another is that facing the qiblah is not required; rather, the House must be on one’s left.

Another is that recitation is not required in it—neither al-Fatihah nor anything else. Indeed, it is not even recommended to recite al-Fatihah itself and a surah along with it.

Another is that it involves neither bowing nor prostration, nor is glorification of Allah required in it.

Another is that eating and drinking are permissible during it, whereas eating and drinking are not permissible in prayer.

Another is that laughter does not invalidate it, whereas laughter invalidates prayer.

Another is that uninterrupted continuity is not a condition for it, according to the view of many scholars, whereas it is a condition in prayer.

If you were to reflect upon it, you would find that it differs from prayer in most