Wudu (ablution) is not required for السعي between الصفا and المروةh عند the consensus of all four schools of jurisprudence. السعي performed without الوضوء is completely valid. Even a menstruating woman may perform السعي, as النبي told Aisha to do everything الحجاج do except الطواف. While الوضوء is مستحب (مستحب) for السعي, it is not a condition or obligation.
Wudu is not required for السعي between الصفا and المروةh عند the consensus of scholars from all four schools of jurisprudence. Unlike الطواف, where the requirement of الوضوء is debated, scholars unanimously agree that السعي is valid without الوضوء. This is a significant practical relief for الحجاج, especially during the extreme crowding and الحرارة of الحج season when maintaining ablution is very difficult.
The evidence for this ruling is clear. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told Aisha when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the الحجاج do, but do not perform الطواف around the House.' This hadith explicitly permitted her to perform السعي (and all other rites) while in a state of menstruation, which is a greater state of ritual impurity than minor hadath. If السعي is valid without the major purification (الغسل) required after menstruation, it is certainly valid without the minor purification (الوضوء).
الشيخ ابن باز and الشيخ ابن عثيمين both confirmed that while performing السعي with الوضوء is better and more rewarding — as الوضوء is مستحب for all acts of worship — it is not a condition of validity. A الحاج who breaks الوضوء during السعي may continue without renewing it. The اللجنة الدائمة issued the same ruling, emphasizing that this is a matter of scholarly agreement (ijma') and there is no significant dispute on this point.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the الحجاج do, but do not perform الطواف around the House until you are purified.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the الحجاج do, but do not perform الطواف around the House until you are purified.'
In the description of النبي's الحج, Jabir said: 'Then النبي went out from the gate to الصفا. When he came near الصفا, he recited: Indeed الصفا and المروةh are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.'
In the description of النبي's الحج, Jabir said: 'Then النبي went out from the gate to الصفا. When he came near الصفا, he recited: Indeed الصفا and المروةh are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Wudu is not required for السعي. It is مستحب (مستحب) but not a condition. السعي without الوضوء is fully valid.
Al-Hidayah: 'Purity is مستحب for السعي but is not a condition of its validity.'
The Maliki school agrees that الوضوء is not a condition for السعي. Menstruating women may perform السعي. Wudu is مستحب but not واجب.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik did not require purity for السعي, based on the hadith permitting menstruating women to perform all rites except الطواف.
Wudu is مستحب for السعي but not required. The Shafi'i school holds that السعي is valid without الوضوء or even in a state of major impurity.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: 'Purity is not a condition for the validity of السعي by consensus.'
The Hanbali school does not require الوضوء for السعي. It is مستحب but not a condition. This is the consensus position.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: 'Purity is not a condition for السعي, and it is valid even for the menstruating woman.'
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the الحجاج do, but do not perform الطواف around the House until you are purified.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1650 (sahih)In the description of النبي's الحج, Jabir said: 'Then النبي went out from the gate to الصفا. When he came near الصفا, he recited: Indeed الصفا and المروةh are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.'
Sahih Muslim #1218 (sahih)