Is the Ritual of Circumambulation of the Ka`bah Borrowed from the Hindus? Please can you answer the following question that a non-Muslim once raised to me: "Why do Muslims practice circumambulation (i.e of the Ka`bah ) when it has no Semite origins?" He went on to say that this was a Hindu practice, incorporated into Islam, although this was mere speculation, I think. I admitted I did not know the answer. And that got me thinking. What exactly are the origins of the practice of circumambulation around the Ka`bah ? Is there is any proof from the Qur'an that these were practised before, in the other religions claiming monotheism? Walaikum Assalam Razwan Arshad, UK Reply Circumambulation ( Tawaaf ) of the Ka`bah , according to the Qur'an, is one of the Abrahamic traditions, which is a part only of the worship rituals, obviously, performed only in the physical presence of the Ka`bah . In other words, the particular ritual of circumambulating the Ka`bah is specific to the vicinity of the Ka`bah , the center for God's worship, in the Abrahamic tradition. The Semites, due to their aversion towards the Banu Ishmael and the last Prophet from the Ishmaelites tried to remove all semblances of any importance given to the Ka`bah or even the connections of Arab traditions with that of Abraham (pbuh). It is primarily because of this aversion of the Israelites toward their brothers - the Ishmaelites - that all rituals of worship related to the Ka`bah were removed from their religion. This contention, however, is based on the information provided in the Qur'an. Nevertheless, no one who is aware of the Jewish traditions can refute the existence of the circumambulation in these traditions. In fact, it may come as a surprise to your non-Muslim friend that not only was the practice of circumambulation in vogue among the Jews, but the number of the circuits was also generally recommended to be seven. This practice of circumambulation is termed as "Hakkafot" in the Jewish tradition. The Encyclopedia Judaica writes: Such circuits are mentioned in the Bible. There were, for instance, seven circuits around Jericho (once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day; Josh. 6:14-15). ... Nowadays a single circuit is made around the bimah [1] on each of the first six days of Sukkot [2] (except for the Sabbath) during the chanting of hoshanot [3] at the close of the Musaf [4] service. On Hoshana Rabba [5] , the seventh day of Sukkot, the procession around the bimah is repeated seven times. It is related that on this day, Hai Gaon used to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and there make seven processional circuits around the Mount of Olives ( Sefer H asidim , ed. by J. Wistinetzki (1924 2 ), no. 630). The Torah scrolls are carried around the synagogue in processional circuits during both the Ma'ariv [6] and Sha h arit [7] services on Sim h at Torah [8] (a custom first mentioned by Rabbi Isaac Tyrnau, 14th-15th century; Minhagim (Lun M ville (1806), 51a)). The H asidim perform these hakkafot also at the conclusion of the Ma'ariv service on Shemini A z eret [9] . In Reform congregations, these hakkafot are performed on Shemini A z eret. In Israel where Sim h at Torah coincides with Shemini A z eret, many congregations perform hakkafot again after Ma'ariv at the completion of the festival. Hakkafot are also performed on a number of other occasions. For instance, Torah scrolls are carried around in a processional circuit during the dedication of both synagogues and cemeteries. In a number of communities, it is customary for the bride to make either three or seven hakkafot around the bridegroom during the wedding ceremony. The Sephardim [10] and H asidim [11] walk around a coffin seven times prior to burial. It is also customary to walk around the cemetery when praying for the sick. On all of these occasions one may note the juxtaposition of the "magic circle" with the mystical figure of seven... ( 'Hakkafot' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) As far as the contention that the ritual of circumambulation is borrowed by Islam from the Hindu religion is concerned, I really do not think that it deserves any attention unless an academic basis is provided to support it. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad , Otherwise you may simply Close this Window [1] Rostrum. An elevated platform with a reader's desk or table from which the READING OF THE LAW and other liturgical functions are conducted in the SYNAGOGUE. ('Bimah', Encylopedia of Judaism, CD version, Davka Corporation) [2] The festival, beginning on the 15th day of Tishri [i.e. the seventh month of the Jewish religious year], which commemorates the sukkot in which the Children of Israel dwelt in the wilderness after the Exodus. ('Sukkot' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) [3] poetical prayers, thus named because of the recurrent expression "Hoshana" (or "Hoshi'a Na," "Save, I Pray!"). ( 'hoshanot' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) [4] the additional sacrifice or prayer instituted on the Sabbath and the festivals. ( 'Musaf' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) [5] a name for the seventh and last day of the Sukkot festival. ( 'hoshana Rabba' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) [6] Evening service. [7] Morning service. [8] "rejoicing of the Torah", the last day of the holy days begun by Sukkot. ( 'Simhat Torah' Encyclopedia Judaica, CD, version 1, Judaica Multimedia (Israel) Ltd.) [9] the 22 nd of Tishri. [10] Jews of Spain and Portugal and their descendents. [11] A Jewish movement which began in the extreme southeast of Poland-Lithuania in the late 18 th Century.