Why do Muslims walk counter clockwise seven times about the Kaaba?

Answer 1

The Hajj is a pilgramage to Mecca (The holy city of Islam) and is one of hte 5 pillars of Islam.

Muslims must complete this pilgramage at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able.

in the question you state "go round the hajj"

by this i assume you are refering to the Ka'ba, a black building with a sacred stone on one corner. During the hajj, Muslims will circle this building 7 times and either kiss, touche or salute the stone, as it is said to be the only remaining piece of the original building made by Abraham and his sons.

this circling of hte ka'ba 7 times occurs to signify the unified 'being' of all Muslims.

the Hajj itself is a much more complex topic but i will not delve further as yet.

Answer 2

First it is the Islam teaching per God command.

Second, it is the positive direction per science rules

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Muslims are following the example of Mohammad by walking couter clockwise around Kaaba. Pagans used to worship at Kaaba with 360 idols and performed this kind of rituals at the time of Mohammad. Mohammad might have followed pagan example. We do not see this kind of worship among the Jews or Christians before or after the time of Mohammad.

Answer 3

It is ritual worship that should be done the way Muslims are commanded to do by God and prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is intersting to know that the counter clockwise direction is defined in science as the positive direction.

Answer 4

It was the actions of the Prophet, when performing tawaf, to keep the Ka'bah on his left side, so one should walk counter clockwise to keep the Ka'bah to their left side.