What is the ruling on the Farewell (al-Wada') or Arrival (al-Qudoom) circumambulation for one returning to Mecca from a journey?

Circumambulating the Sacred House (Kaaba) for those who are not performing Hajj or Umrah (definition) is recommended at all times, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever circumambulates this House seven times... it will be equivalent to freeing a slave." This is called voluntary circumambulation (Tawaf (definition) al-Tattawu'), and it is better for strangers than voluntary prayer. However, for the people of Mecca, prayer is better. As for the pilgrim: the circumambulation of Ifadah (Tawaf al-Ziyarah) is a pillar (Rukn), and the circumambulation of arrival (Tawaf al-Qudum) is a Sunnah (definition) according to the majority of scholars, and obligatory according to some.