What is the ruling on clinging to the walls of the Ka'bah after tawaf?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, I saw some people in Makkah al-Mukarramah, meaning after tawaf, standing and placing their hands on the wall of the Ka'bah and weeping. Is that permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, this is called al-iltizam (clinging). Al-iltizam is specific to the al-Multazam, which is the area between the door and the Black Stone. So the place is very narrow, and in our days, during the peak seasons, a person cannot perform al-iltizam.
First, because he would suffer great harm.
Second, because it obstructs those performing tawaf, thereby harming them. Also, the original practice of al-iltizam is not established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). For this reason, some scholars paused in their ruling on it. It is said: al-iltizam in other than this place—we find some people in every part of the Ka'bah clinging, pressing their chests against it and extending their hands on the covering of the Ka'bah. This is a religious innovation. So now, where is the place of al-iltizam? Between the door and the Black Stone. Is it a recommended practice or not? Some scholars paused in their ruling on it because it is not established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Should a person do it during the peak seasons and the crowds? No, because of the harm it causes to himself and to others. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is called al-iltizam (clinging). Al-iltizam is specific to the al-Multazam, which is the area between the door and the Black Stone. So the place is very narrow, and in our days, during the peak seasons, a person cannot perform al-iltizam.
First, because he would suffer great harm.
Second, because it obstructs those performing tawaf, thereby harming them. Also, the original practice of al-iltizam is not established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). For this reason, some scholars paused in their ruling on it. It is said: al-iltizam in other than this place—we find some people in every part of the Ka'bah clinging, pressing their chests against it and extending their hands on the covering of the Ka'bah. This is a religious innovation. So now, where is the place of al-iltizam? Between the door and the Black Stone. Is it a recommended practice or not? Some scholars paused in their ruling on it because it is not established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Should a person do it during the peak seasons and the crowds? No, because of the harm it causes to himself and to others. Yes.