Making Tawaaf While Wearing Shoes

QUESTION:

Is it permissible to wear one’s usual outdoor shoes when making Tawaaf of Baitullah?

ANSWER:

The Ka‘bah is among the sacred symbols of Allah Ta’ala on earth which demand and deserve one’s utmost respect and humility.
Although it is permissible to wear shoes whilst making Tawaaf, provided they are free from Najaasah, it is contrary to the Adab and respect of the sacredness of the Baitullah to wear shoes there without a genuine need.

Allah Ta’ala says:

وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
“Whoever honours the symbols of Allah, it is indeed from the piety of the hearts.”
(Surah al-Hajj, 22:32)

Therefore, it is more befitting to remove one’s shoes while making Tawaaf out of respect, reverence and Adab for the Baitullah.

وَلَعَلَّ ذَلِكَ مَحْمَلُ مَا فِي عُمْدَةِ الْمُفْتِي مِنْ أَنَّ دُخُولَ الْمَسْجِدِ مُتَنَعِّلًا مِنْ سُوءِ الْأَدَبِ تَأَمَّلْ
ج1 – ص657 – كتاب حاشية
ابن عابدين رد المحتار

ويطوف في نعل أو خف إن كانا طاهرين وإلا فيكره، لكن في النعلين ولو طاهرين ترك الأدب.
غنية الناسك ص 202

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Bhayla

Date: 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 / 26 August 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb