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What is the wisdom behind circumambulating the Kaaba from left to right?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Making the Kaaba on the left of the circumambulator is a condition for the validity of the circumambulation according to the majority of scholars, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, circumambulated with the House on his left, and he said: "Take your rituals from me." The wisdom behind this is for the circumambulator's heart to be directed towards the Kaaba, and as an act of veneration for the House of Allah. The Hanafis, however, view making the Kaaba on the left as an obligation, not a condition. So, whoever circumambulates with the House on their right must repeat the circumambulation as long as they are in Mecca; otherwise, a sacrifice (dam) becomes obligatory upon them.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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