What is the ruling on performing tawaf inside the Hijr?

The questioner : The Hijr of Isma'il ... ?

The Shaykh : Ah, entering, meaning for the purpose of prayer.

The questioner : No, sometimes people tawaf ... do they get close to the Ka'bah?

The Shaykh : No, the one who does not tawaf from behind the Hijr, his tawaf is not valid. This is because the Hijr, as came in the authentic hadith, is part of the Ka'bah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the interior of the Ka'bah during the Battle of the Conquest of Makkah, he prayed two rak'ahs. Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) described in detail the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from that, stating that there were three cubits between him and the wall of the Ka'bah. He prayed between the two pillars. Then, when he came out, the Lady Aisha wanted to do what her Prophet and husband had done. So he said to her, (peace and blessings be upon him): , but the Messenger (peace be upon him) feared that fitnah would arise among those weak in faith if the Ka'bah were demolished, expanded, and the Hijr included within it. Therefore, he said to her: Pray in the Hijr, for it is part of the Ka'bah. There is no objection to praying in the Hijr, merely praying. As for entering during tawaf in the Hijr, as the brother said...The questioner : This is undoubtedly, meaning, half a tawaf is not considered; in that case, his tawaf is not a valid tawaf. So whoever does that, he must repeat it. As for merely praying, as we see them pushing and shoving there too, there is no reason for pushing and shoving, because it is merely a recommended practice (sunnah) that the Messenger (peace be upon him) performed in the interior of the Ka'bah, and he ordered the Lady Aisha, if she wanted to pray as he prayed, to pray in the Hijr. As for pushing and shoving in prayer there, especially the mixing of men with women, this is not of the Sunnah in any way...