his last visit to the House. Anyone who remains in Mecca need not perform the farewell tawaf. A person departing from Mecca should delay this tawaf until he has completed all his affairs, and should not engage in trade or similar activities afterwards. However, if he attends to a need, buys something along his way after the farewell tawaf, or returns to his lodging to load his belongings onto his mount, or does something similar in preparation for departure, he need not repeat it. If he stays on after the farewell tawaf, he must repeat it. This tawaf is obligatory according to the majority of scholars, but menstruating women are exempt.

If he wishes, he may go to the Multazam—the area between the Black Stone and the door—and press his chest, face, forearms and palms against it, supplicating and asking Allah Most High for what he needs. He may also do this before the farewell tawaf, for there is no distinction between doing so at the time of departure and at any other time. The Companions used to do this when they entered Mecca. If he wishes, he may offer the supplication transmitted from Ibn ‘Abbās:

“O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant and Your maidservant. You have carried me on what You have placed at my service among Your creatures and enabled me to travel through Your lands, until, by Your grace, You brought me to Your House and helped me perform my pilgrimage rites. If You are pleased with me, increase Your pleasure with me; otherwise, be pleased with me from this moment, before my dwelling becomes distant from Your House. Now is the time for my departure, if You permit me, neither seeking a substitute for You or Your House nor turning away from You or Your House. O Allah, grant me well-being in my body and sound health in