According to the majority of jurists, Tawaf around the Ka`bah should be performed in seven rounds. However, Abu Hanifa held the view that Tawaf can be performed in four rounds. If one of the other three rounds is missed, the pilgrim should offer a sacrifice.
Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, states: “According to the majority of jurists, Tawaf around the Ka`bah should be performed in seven rounds. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did, and he said, “Take your rituals from me.” Therefore, if one round is missed, the Hajj is invalid. This is the same as the one who misses one rak`ah of the Prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Tawaf is (similar to) Prayer, but Allah the Almighty has made talking for one (engaged in Tawaf) permissible. So, whoever speaks (while performing Tawaf) should only say good things” (At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban). If anyone misses a round of the Tawaf it cannot be made up for by slaughtering an animal.
However, Abu Hanifa held the view that Tawaf can be performed in four rounds, but if one performs less than four rounds, one’s Tawaf is invalid and hence one’s Hajj is also rendered invalid. The other three rounds of Tawaf are considered obligatory acts of Hajj that, if missed, can be made up for by slaughtering an animal and thereafter the Tawaf will be considered valid. According to this view, your Tawaf is valid but you have to offer a sacrificial animal.”