Q: When the crowd reaches its peak or at the time of congregational morning prayer, the staff of Masjid al-Haram prevent pilgrims especially women from offering tawaf prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim or even beat them. In such a case, is praying in the area located in front of the Black Rock corner to that located in front of the ‘Iraqi corner valid?
A: prayer of tawaf should be offered behind Maqam Ibrahim provided that it does not bother others. If doing so closely behind Maqam is impossible due to the crowd, one can offer it at a further distance behind it.