Ruling on praying the two Rak`ahs of Tawaf after making voluntary Tawaf

Q: We performed Umrah: we made Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah), Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and after we have finished we removed the clothes of Ihram (the ritual state for Hajj and Umrah). Later, we wanted to make voluntary Tawaf. Is there a Salah (Prayer) that must be performed after the completion of each Tawaf, even if it is performed after Asr (afternoon) Prayer?

A: It is permissible to make voluntary Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and pray two Rak`ahs (unit of Prayer) after Tawaf at any time. This is because Tawaf is a great act of worship and incurs great reward. It is permissible to perform Salah (Prayer) after it at any time, based on the words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said: "Do not prevent anyone from circumambulating Al-Bayt (the House: another name for the Ka`bah) and praying there at any time they wish, by night or by day." Recorded by Imam Ahmad, and by the Four Compilers of Hadith (Imams Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah). It was classified as authentic hadith by Al-Tirmidhy and Ibn Hibban.

May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

The first question of Fatwa no. 16061 [Source: Alifta.net]