In a few days, the caravans of pilgrims will head to the Sacred House, leaving their homeland for a distant country, in order to descend as guests on their Lord The Almighty in His ancient House. He is The Most Munificent, The Most Generous, Who approves for His guests no hospitality other than Paradise. But you should remember, O pilgrim, that the Host never offers hospitality to His guests unless He sees that they venerate Him, honor His inviolability, and show respect for His House.
Who has more right to be honored than Allah The Almighty? Which house is more entitled to be highly appreciated than His Sacred House?
It is the ancient House established by Allah The Almighty for the people to worship Him in it; Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.} [Quran 3:96-97]
Allah The Almighty commanded His Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael), son of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt their mention, to purify His House for those who perform Tawaaf (circumambulation), those who stay in it for worship, and those who pray: to purify it outwardly and inwardly from impurity (of sin) and filth. He The Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."} [Quran 2:125]
You, O pilgrim, are then required to maintain with care the purity and cleanliness of the Sacred House and the other holy sites, and not to contaminate or desecrate them or contribute in doing so, since (to maintain that with care) is an aspect of honoring the Symbols of Allah The Almighty, which indicate piety. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [is so]. And whoever honors the Symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22:32]
It should be known to you, O pilgrim, that the House of Allah has sanctity and a high standing (to be observed). So, when you enter it, come in with tranquility and reverence, and feel within yourself awe for the grandeur of Allah The Almighty. When your eye falls on the honored Ka‘bah, supplicate Allah The Almighty to increase it in honor and greatness; and hasten to perform Tawaaf round it, since Tawaaf is the first deed to be maintained with care in case the obligatory prayer has not been established. While performing Tawaaf, be submissive to your Lord, kind to your fellow Muslims: that is, do not push anyone, nor thrust against anyone, especially when touching and kissing the Black Stone. If you find a space, then, you may touch and kiss it; but if no space is available, it is sufficient to point at it from afar and continue performing Tawaaf, and beware of harming any of the Muslims, since the inviolability of a Muslim is graver in the Sight of Allah The Almighty, than that of the Ka‘bah.
Avoid, O pilgrim, as much as you could, passing in front of people when they are praying. A lot of pilgrims, may Allah guide them, pass in front of those who are praying and they do so carelessly, even though they could avoid it. The Messenger of Allah, , said in this respect: “Were the person who passes by in front of the praying person to know what (sin) is due on him for that, then, it would have been better for him to stand forty (days waiting until he finishes the prayer) than to pass in front of him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
It should be known to you that the standing place of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, is one of the sites of Hajj, at which you should perform the two-Rak‘ah Sunnah prayer of Tawaaf, in imitation of the Messenger of Allah, , and in compliance with the Command of Allah The Almighty: {And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer} [Quran 2:125] unless the place is crowded with people who are praying and those who are performing Tawaaf, in which case, praying anywhere in the Mosque is sufficient.
Beware of what some pilgrims do who rub their hands or bodies against the glass box fixed on top of it or kiss it, seeking blessing therewith. This was not done by the Messenger of Allah, , who said: “Take from me your rites (of Hajj and ‘Umrah).”Anything that was not done by the Messenger of Allah, , is rejected (as being void) and returned upon the doer, for which he is considered sinful rather than rewarded. It is noteworthy that, from among the walls of the Ka‘bah, the Messenger of Allah, , touched only the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, and kissed only the Black Stone. If this is available to you, do the same as the Messenger of Allah, , did, otherwise, it is sufficient for you to point at the Black (Stone) Corner from afar with Takbeer. As for the Yemeni Corner, it is sufficient for you to pass by it without pointing at it when the area is overcrowded. To be sure, all good lies in following, whereas all evil lies in religious innovation; and the correct worship is that to be done sincerely for the Sake of Allah The Almighty, following the Messenger of Allah, .
It should be known that there is no report from the Messenger of Allah, , about a particular Thikr (supplication) to be said during Tawaaf, except in the area between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, where you recite (what means): {But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, Give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."}[Quran 2:201]