The Rituals of Hajj [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Obligations of Sa'y

This is the fourth obligation in Umrat-ut-Tamatu'. In sa'y too, intention to
seek nearness to Allah is obligatory but there is no obligation to cover the
private parts, [although exposing one's genitals in a public place is not
allowed], or for taharah from urine or excrement, although it is preferable (al
awla) to be tahir during sa'y.

Rule 333:

Sa'y is to be performed
after tawaf and its prayer. If it is performed before the tawaf or prayer, it is
obligatory to repeat it after performing both. As for the one who forgets to
perform tawaf, but recalls after performing sa'y, the rule has already been set
out.

Rule 334:

Niyyah to attain closeness
to Allah, is essential in sa'y performed for Umrah or Hajj, whichever is
applicable.

Rule 335:

Sa'y consists of seven laps.
The first round starts at Safa and ends at Marwah. The second round is a
reversal of the first, the third is like the first, and so on until the seventh
round ends at Marwah.

One should cover the whole distance between the two
mounts in each round; there is no need to climb any of them, even though it is
preferable and precautionary (awla and ahwat) to do so. As a matter of
precaution, it is obligatory for performing sa'y to be continuous, i.e. there
should not be a break between the rounds.

Rule 336:

If a person starts from
Marwah, albeit due to an oversight, sa'y will be deemed invalid and he must
resume from Safa.

Rule 337:

In sa'y, it is better,
though not necessary, that a pilgrim walks; it is permissible to ride an animal
or be carried by another person or pushed on a wheelchair.

Rule 338:

If his sa'y is to be
considered in order, a pilgrim must carry out brisk walking between Safa and
Marwah. This must also be carried out on the known track.

It is not
permissible to do the rounds via the Mosque or along another route. However,
there is also no requirement that one must walk in a straight line.

Rule 339:

When walking towards Marwah,
one must set his face to it. The same procedure should apply to Safa. It is not
permissible to turn one's back to Marwah, when proceeding to it, or turn one's
back to Safa, when returning from Marwah. However, there is no objection to
merely looking to the right, left or back in the course of the walk.

Rule 340:

A pilgrim must, as a matter
of precaution, observe the order of rounds in sa'y. However, in the course of
performing sa'y, it is permissible to sit at Safa, Marwah, or between them for
rest.

Yet one must, as a matter of precaution, avoid having a break in the
process, except for those who are tired, or need to interrupt sa'y to catch up
with prayer at the earliest time. In these cases, one may complete the sa'y from
where it had been interrupted.

It is also permissible to interrupt sa'y to
attend to a need, indeed at all times. Yet one should, as a matter of
precaution, complete it and then repeat it.