626 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: “The Prophet ﷺ commanded them to trot (ramal) for three circuits and to walk four, between the two corners.” Agreed upon (1).

Lexical notes
– “to trot (ramal)”: with a ḍamma on the mīm. Ramal is a quick, energetic walk—short steps with a slight swaying of the shoulders.
– “circuits” (ashwāṭ): plural of shawṭ (with an open shīn); one shawṭ is a single lap around the Kaʿbah.
– “the two corners”: the Yemeni corner and the eastern corner that contains the Black Stone. By convention both are called “the two Yemeni corners.”

Lessons derived from the ḥadīth

1. It is recommended for men to perform ramal during the first three circuits of the arrival ṭawāf. The ruling concerns men because the instruction in the ʿUmrah of Recompense was directed at them, and because its wisdom—displaying strength and readiness for battle—applies specifically to men, whereas women are required to maintain modesty and concealment.
2. Walking at a normal pace is recommended for the remaining four circuits.
3. The recommendation applies to the arrival ṭawāf and likewise to the ṭawāf of Hajj or ʿUmrah when either of them serves in place of the arrival ṭawāf.
4. In Ibn ʿAbbās’s report the Prophet ﷺ told them to walk between the two corners. This was during the ʿUmrah of Recompense, out of mercy for the Companions, for at the end of the narration Ibn ʿAbbās said