1. The earliest permissible time for Tawaf al-Ifadah begins at midnight on the Day of Sacrifice, or after the time of Fajr begins, based on the scholars’ differing opinions regarding the earliest time for stoning the Jamarat.
2. The best time for Tawaf al-Ifadah is on the Day of Sacrifice, after stoning the Jamarat, offering the sacrifice, and shaving the head or shortening the hair.
3. There is no problem if this Tawaf is delayed until night. However, it is better not to delay Tawaf al-Ifadah. It is not permissible to delay Tawaf al-Ifadah until after Dhul-Hijjah without a valid excuse.
4. According to the majority of jurists, it is preferable to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah before sunset on the 13th. However, it may also be performed thereafter, and no dam will be required for this. This is also the view of Imam Abu Yusuf (may Allah have mercy on him) and Imam Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him). According to them, the time for performing Tawaf al-Ifadah, or Tawaf al-Ziyarah, is unrestricted, and no dam is required even if it is performed after the 12th.[1] In contrast, according to Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him), it is wajib to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah from the break of true dawn on 10 Dhul-Hijjah until sunset on 12 Dhul-Hijjah. Tawaf al-Ziyarah will still be valid if performed thereafter, and the obligatory duty will be fulfilled, but a dam will be required. There is no strong evidence supporting the view of Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him). Therefore, there is no impediment to performing Tawaf al-Ziyarah after the 12th, and no dam will be required for it. However, there is no disagreement that it is preferable to perform it as soon as possible.
5. Once the pilgrim has performed the four acts—stoning the Jamarat, slaughtering the hadi, shaving the head or shortening the hair, and performing Tawaf al-Ifadah—even sexual intercourse becomes lawful for him.
6. If a pilgrim delays Tawaf al-Ifadah until the time of departure, his Farewell Tawaf will also be fulfilled along with Tawaf al-Ifadah. He will not have to perform a separate Farewell Tawaf.
It is preferable to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah and Sa‘i consecutively, without a long interval between them. Scholars generally regard one day, or 12 hours, as the maximum interval.
[1]. Al-Kasani: Bada’i al-Sana’i: 2/314.