Yes, tawaf has been temporarily halted on at least one occasion, specifically in the immediate vicinity of the Ka'ba.
Based on the information provided:
- On March 5th, 2020, the authorities temporarily stopped tawaf (circumambulation) directly around the Ka'ba.
- This decision was made to allow for the sterilization of the area.
- The reason for the sterilization was fears related to the Coronavirus outbreak.
This demonstrates that, while rare, circumstances such as public health concerns can lead to a temporary halt in the performance of tawaf in the most central area of the Grand Mosque. Images from that time were described as "eery" due to the empty space around the Ka'ba, a sight seldom witnessed.
Key details from the reference:
- Date: March 5th, 2020
- Location: Immediate vicinity of the Ka'ba
- Action: Tawaf temporarily halted
- Reason: Sterilization due to fears over Coronavirus
It is important to note that this measure was described as temporary and specifically impacted the area closest to the Ka'ba, allowing for necessary public health interventions.
