Do the two rak'ahs of tawaf have to be prayed behind the Maqam Ibrahim only?

Question: Is it obligatory for the one performing tawaf around the Sacred Ka'bah to pray the two rak'ahs of tawaf behind the Maqam Ibrahim, or is it permissible for him to pray them in any place within the Haram?

Answer: It is not obligatory for the one performing tawaf to pray the two rak'ahs behind the Maqam Ibrahim, but it is prescribed for him to do so if it is easy without hardship. If he prays them in any place in the Sacred Mosque or in any place in the Haram, that suffices for him. It is not prescribed for him to push through the crowd of those performing tawaf to pray them around the Maqam; rather, he should keep his distance from the crowd and pray them in the rest of the Sacred Mosque. This is because 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed the two rak'ahs of tawaf in some of his tawaf at Dhu al-Hula, which is part of the Haram but outside the Sacred Mosque. Likewise, Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) prayed for the farewell tawaf outside the Sacred Mosque. It appears that the reason for this was the crowd, or she intended to make clear to people the legal leniency in this matter.