as reported by al-Nasā’ī and others from Ibn ‘Abbās, who related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Circumambulating the House is prayer, except that Allah has permitted you to speak during it. Whoever speaks should therefore say only what is good.”
It has, however, been said that these are the words of Ibn ‘Abbās himself, rather than the Prophet.
It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No one may circumambulate the House naked.”
Allah Most High said:
“Wear your adornment at every place of prayer.”
This was revealed when people used to circumambulate the House naked, except for al-Hums, who would circumambulate in their clothes. Others would not circumambulate in their own clothes, saying, “These are clothes in which we have disobeyed Allah.” If someone found a garment belonging to a member of al-Hums, he would circumambulate wearing it; otherwise, he would circumambulate naked. If he circumambulated in his own clothes, he would discard them, and they were therefore called “castoffs.”
This was among the practices the polytheists had introduced into circumambulation. They had also introduced prohibitions on certain foods while in ihrām. Allah therefore revealed:
“Wear your adornment at every place of prayer, and eat and drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He does not love those who are excessive.”
“Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment Allah has provided for His servants and the good things He has provided for their sustenance?’”
And His words:
“And when they commit an indecency”—such as circumambulating the House naked—“they say, ‘We found our forefathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us to do it.’ Say, ‘Allah does not command indecency. Do you say about Allah what you do not know?’”
Thus, the obligation of ritual purity and covering the body during circumambulation, as established by the revealed texts, is agreed upon. What is disputed is whether it necessarily follows that these are conditions for its validity, as they are for prayer.