Idtiba` during Tawaf

Q 1: Is Idtiba` (uncovering the right shoulder) during Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) an act of Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet? What if a pilgrim forgets to do it? (Part No. 10; Page No. 211

A: Idtiba` is a Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) putting the middle of his garment under his right armpit and both ends of the garment on his left shoulder while keeping his right shoulder and upper arm uncovered. It is an act of Sunnah in the first Tawaf when the pilgrim first arrives in Makkah. It constitutes the Tawaf of `Umrah for a Mutamatti` (pilgrim performing `Umrah during the months of Hajj, followed by Hajj in the same year with a break in between), and Tawaf-ul-Qudum (circumambulation of the Ka`bah on arrival in Makkah) for a Qarin (pilgrim combining Hajj and `Umrah without a break in between) or a Mufrid (pilgrim performing Hajj only). If a pilgrim forgets it, there is nothing required of him and the same applies if he forgets Takbir (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]") or Tasmiyah (saying, "Bismillah [In the Name of Allah]") at the beginning of Tawaf, because Takbir, Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and Du`a (supplication) during Tawaf and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj and `Umrah) are acts of Sunnah that are not obligatory. However, it is obligatory to perform Tawaf or Sa`y while the intention of doing it is resolved from the beginning of the ritual.