finished the circumambulation of the Kaʿbah (1) as an explanation of the Almighty’s words: “And take the Station of Abraham as a place of prayer” (Qur’an 2:125). He proceeded to the Station while reciting this verse, and the two rakʿahs offered behind it are a sunnah.

As for the Prophet’s ﷺ tacit approval of something, it is proof of its permissibility in exactly the form he endorsed, whether the endorsed matter was a statement or an action.

Example of his approval of a statement: he approved of the young slave-girl whom he asked, “Where is Allah?” and she replied, “In the heaven” (2).

Example of his approval of an action: he approved of the commander of a detachment who used to recite to his men and conclude with “Say, ‘He is Allah, One’” (Surah al-Ikhlāṣ 1). The Prophet ﷺ said, “Ask him why he does that.” They asked, and he replied, “Because it describes the All-Merciful, and I love to recite it.” The Prophet ﷺ then said, “Tell him that Allah loves him” (3).

Another example: his approving the Abyssinians who were displaying their skill with spears in the mosque (4), in order to endear Islam to them.