A: The reader is starting from the linguistic meaning of the word tawaf. Before we state whether this is linguistically acceptable or not, we need to bear in mind that the tawaf is a duty of pilgrimage clearly stated in the Qur'an: “Let them complete the rites prescribed for them, fulfill their vows, and again walk around the Ancient House.” (22: 29) This verse occurs in the passage speaking about the pilgrimage in the surah entitled Al-Hajj, or the Pilgrimage. The mode of speech indicated in English by the words “let them” is even stronger in the original Arabic form. In fact, this is expressed in the imperative mode. The final phrase, “walk around the Ancient House,” uses the verbal form of tawaf. All this indicates that the tawaf is an essential part of the pilgrimage. How do we do it? We have to follow the Prophet's (peace be upon him) example. We know that during his pilgrimage, the Prophet did the tawaf three times: on arrival, after attendance at Arafat, and before departing from Makkah. Each time, he walked around the Kaabah seven times, starting at the point of the Black Stone, then moving in an anti-clockwise direction, and finishing at the Black Stone. He did not approve of any lesser number of rounds. Therefore, this is the tawaf we have to do. We cannot do it in any other fashion.
It has to be pointed out though that the first tawaf, i.e. the one on arrival is a sunnah, i.e. recommended which means that it does not affect the validity of the pilgrimage if it is omitted. However, this tawaf is obligatory for those pilgrims who opt for the tamattu' method of pilgrimage, which is the one recommended by the Prophet. This method begins with offering the umrah. Thus this first tawaf is the one for the umrah. The tawaf done before a pilgrim's departure from Makkah is a duty that can be compensated for, if omitted, by slaughtering a sheep and distributing its meat to the poor in the Haram area. The middle one is an essential duty of pilgrimage, without which the pilgrimage remains incomplete. It cannot be compensated for in any way.
Can the tawaf be made easier? Yes, indeed, but it requires better education for all pilgrims as well as careful organization on the part of the authorities to ensure easier traffic movement and better crowd management. There is for example the point of offering a short prayer of two rak'ahs at the place known as Maqam Ibraheem. During the pilgrimage, the number of people doing this ritual is so great that the circle goes far beyond this place. For anyone to try to pray there will cause much disruption and inconvenience. Yet people do try, and a group may form a circle to allow one or two of their number to do the prayer. The fact is that this prayer is valid and good anywhere in the Grand Mosque, not only near the Maqam Ibraheem. If all pilgrims get to know this, no one will try to pray in the middle of the moving crowd.
This is just one example of how better education can remove some difficulties. There are other ways, such as easing the crowd movement, particularly at the point of entry and departure, so as to make it smooth. This, however, needs cooperation by the authorities in all countries, particularly those from which large contingents of pilgrims come every year.
