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ArticlesQuestion:
What is "Idhtibaa'" of a male pilgrim during Tawaaf? When does he do it? What if he does it less than the correct number of times, what is the status of such Tawaaf?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, may Allah exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Idhtibaa' is for a person who is in a state of Ihraam [either for Hajj or 'Umrah] to put the right side of his upper garment under his armpit and put the left side over his shoulder, thus showing his right shoulder. Idhtibaa' is desirable for a pilgrim who performs the Tawaaf (circumambulation around the Ka'bah) when he first arrives to Makkah, as regards the person who is performing 'Umrah coming from the Meeqaat (the place wherefrom he is obliged to assume Ihraam) he has the choice either to do so or not do so; but it is better for him to do it in order to abide by the Sunnah. Ya'laa Ibn Umiyyah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet 
performed Tawaaf while revealing his right shoulder [observing Idhtibaa']. [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]
performed Tawaaf while revealing his right shoulder [observing Idhtibaa']. [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah] So, a person in a state of Ihraam should make Idhtibaa' when he starts the Tawaaf, and when he finishes the Tawaaf, he should cover his shoulder again. Therefore, the mistake of some pilgrims and those who perform 'Umrah becomes evident, as they observe Idhtibaa' throughout their ritual.
Allah Knows best.
