The Rules of the Sa´ī

The sa´ī is one of the cornerstones of Hajj. If it is deliberately neglected, the pilgrimage becomes invalid, regardless whether or not the pilgrim knows the rule or whether they have run out of time and are unable to perform the sa´ī for the ´Umrah before the time of Adh-Dhuhr on the day of Arafat. Then the same rules apply as for someone who had deliberately neglected the ṯawāf, as described above.

#341: If the sa´ī has been forgotten, it must be performed as soon as it is remembered. However, if the pilgrim remembers it after having completed the ceremonies of Hajj and they are not able to perform the sa´ī in person due to constraints, afflictions or difficulties, they are obligated to assign a representative. In both cases the pilgrimage will be valid.

#342: If a pilgrim is neither able to perform the sa´ī in person, nor to be carried on someone's shoulders nor to be pushed in a wheelchair, they have to appoint a representative to perform the sa´ī on their behalf, and their pilgrimage is valid.

If they cannot assign someone, e.g. because they are unconscious, then it is sufficient if someone else fulfills the

sa´ī on their behalf, and their Hajj is valid.

#343: As a precaution, the pilgrim should not delay the sa´ī once the ṯawāf and the corresponding prayer have been completed except in order to avoid the heat or prevent exhaustion, although it is permissible to delay it until nighttime. Under normal circumstances, postponing the sa´ī until the next day for no reason is not permitted.

#344: The rule for redundant segments is the same as for the ṯawāf. If they were performed knowingly or deliberately, they render the sa´ī invalid. If it happened due to ignorance of the rule, the sa´ī is evidently not invalid, but as a precaution

(´ala-l-ahwaṯ), it should be repeated.

#345: If the pilgrim mistakenly adds a redundant segment to the sa´ī, it remains valid. If the surplus consists of one segment or more, it is recommended that they complement this to seven rounds, thus making it a full sa´ī. In this case the pilgrim would finish in Safa.

#346: If, in performing the sa´ī, a pilgrim deliberately does fewer than the required segments, whether or not they know the attendant rules, the same rule applies to them as to someone who deliberately failed to make the sa´ī at all.

When the pilgrim remembers that they left out some part of the sa´ī and if this happened accidentally, they are obliged to make up the missing segments as soon as this comes to their mind, regardless of whether it is one segment or more.

If they don't remember that they have left out some part of the sa´ī before time has expired, e.g. for the sa´ī of the ´Umrah when they are already in Arafat and for the sa´ī of the Hajj after the month of Dhu-l-Hiğğah is over, as a precautionary measure, the neglected distances should be made up for and the entire sa´ī ought to be repeated. If this is a problem for the pilgrim, they should assign a representative to perform it on their behalf. As a precaution, the representative should perform a complete sa´ī with the intention of fulfilling a duty after having made up for the left-out or incomplete segments.

#347: If someone accidentally leaves out some part of the sa´ī for the ´Umratu-t-Tamattu´ and, believing that they have performed it completely, have already left the state of consecration (by cutting their hair), as a precautionary measure, they should sacrifice a cow. As aforementioned, the obligation to complete the sa´ī persists.