The majority of scholars hold that الطواف cannot be performed by proxy if the sick person can be carried or pushed in a wheelchair. The الحاج should be physically present for الطواف, even if carried. Only if the person is completely bedridden and cannot be transported at all do some scholars permit proxy الطواف, though this is the minority view. The preferred solution is to carry or transport the sick person for الطواف.
This is a matter of scholarly discussion. The majority of scholars from all four schools prefer that the sick الحاج be physically present for الطواف, even if they need to be carried, pushed in a wheelchair, or transported on a stretcher. الطواف is a physical act of worship closely tied to being physically present at the الكعبة, and the scholars prioritize the الحاج's presence.
الشيخ ابن باز stated that a sick الحاج should be carried for الطواف if possible — either on someone's shoulders, in a wheelchair, or on a bed/stretcher. He cited the report that النبي performed الطواف on his riding animal during the Farewell الحج. If the الحاج is unconscious, their family should carry them for الطواف, and the intention of the family member carrying them counts on their behalf. Only in truly extreme cases where the person absolutely cannot be transported does the question of proxy الطواف arise.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين held that proxy الطواف (where the proxy goes alone without the sick person) is not أُسس from the السنة and is a weak position. He strongly مستحب making every effort to transport the sick person, noting that modern wheelchair services at the Haram make this much easier than in previous eras. If the sick person is in a المستشفى and cannot be moved at all, they should wait until they recover to perform their الطواف, as there is no time limit for الطواف al-Ifadah. In extreme cases where recovery is not expected, some scholars from the Hanbali school permitted proxy الطواف by analogy with proxy الحج.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the House on his riding animal so that the people could see him and ask him questions, as the people crowded around him.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the House on his riding animal so that the people could see him and ask him questions, as the people crowded around him.
I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
The sick person should be carried for الطواف if possible. Proxy الطواف (without the person being present) is not the preferred position. The الحاج should wait until they can perform الطواف themselves.
Al-Hidayah: physical presence is preferred for الطواف; the sick should be carried if possible.
The Maliki school requires the الحاج to be present for الطواف. They should be carried or wheeled if needed. Proxy الطواف without presence is not accepted.
Maliki scholars require the الحاج's physical presence at the الكعبة for valid الطواف.
The sick الحاج should be carried for الطواف. If completely unable to be transported, they wait until able. Proxy الطواف without presence is a weak opinion.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: the الحاج should be present for الطواف even if carried.
The الحاج should be transported for الطواف whenever possible. In extreme cases of complete inability, some Hanbali scholars permit proxy الطواف by analogy with proxy الحج.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: carrying the sick for الطواف is the primary solution; proxy is a last resort.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the House on his riding animal so that the people could see him and ask him questions, as the people crowded around him.
Sahih Muslim #1273 (sahih)I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1633 (sahih)