The Time of Tawaf Around the House Other Than During Hajj and 'Umrah, and the Greeting of the Sacred Mosque

The questioner:
In his second question, he asks: When does a Muslim perform tawaf around the Ka'bah other than on the occasion of Hajj or 'Umrah? And is the greeting of the Sacred Mosque tawaf, or two rak'ahs like any other mosque?

The Shaykh:
He performs tawaf whenever he wishes; tawaf has no fixed limit. He may perform it at night or during the day, at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day, whenever he wishes. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Do not prevent anyone from performing tawaf around this House, meaning that if one asks about it, whether at night or during the day, whenever he wishes to perform tawaf, he performs it at night or during the day. And when he performs tawaf, he prays two rak'ahs; this is the sunnah (recommended practice). If he does not perform tawaf, he enters the mosque and, if he does not have the energy for tawaf, he prays two rak'ahs to greet the mosque. If tawaf is feasible, he performs it; if he does not perform tawaf, he prays two rak'ahs and sits in the mosque. At any time he enters, whether after 'Asr, after Fajr, or at night, while in a state of purity, he does not sit until he prays two rak'ahs; this is the sunnah, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh:
In Ramadan and in other months. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.