Reference: Fataawa as-Siyaam libni Jibreen – Page 175, Fatwa No.192
Question: In al-Masjid al-Haraam (Makkah) during Ramadhaan, which is better to perform: voluntary prayers, tawaaf or reciting the Qur.aan?
Response: Tawaaf is preferable for the non-Makkans, because it is not always easy for them to [travel to Makkah] to do so. As for the people of Makkah [themselves], then it is preferable [for them] to perform voluntary prayers and recite (the Qur.aan) so long as the time is appropriate (i.e. not praying during the prohibited times of after Fajr, at Zawaal and after ‘Asr). However, if the tawaaf is difficult for the visitor [to Makkah] or there exists something which prevents him from performing the tawaaf such as congestion and many women, in addition to the fear of [falling into any] fitnah, then the voluntary prayers are better. It is also possible to combine between performing the tawaaf, reciting [the Qur.aan], and supplicating [to Allaah], and [in so doing] attaining double the reward, and Allaah [alone] has the Complete knowledge [of all affairs].
