Islamic History
The Prophet's Intention and Withdrawal from Hajj
In the month of Ramadan, after returning from Tabuk, he intended to perform Hajj. Then he said: “There will be polytheists in the House of Allah and they will circumambulate it naked! I do not wish to perform Hajj until this situation is eliminated!”[1] The polytheists would circumambulate the Ka’bah naked at night, without any covering on them, and considered this an act of respect and veneration for the Ka’bah. They would say, “I am circumambulating the House of Allah as my mother gave birth to me. There is no oppression of the world on me!”[2] Some women also did this. Those who wanted to circumambulate while clothed, the Quraysh would not allow them to do so unless they borrowed or rented a garment from them. If any polytheist circumambulated with any garment, after he had finished circumambulating, he would throw that garment away, and whoever was cursed by him would never touch it again, neither he nor anyone else.[3]