Like tawaf, sa'i cannot be performed by proxy as a standalone act separate from a complete proxy Hajj or Umrah. If a pilgrim cannot walk sa'i, they should be carried or use a wheelchair. The sa'i performed while being carried is fully valid. Only when a person is completely unable to perform any Hajj rites may they appoint a proxy for the entire pilgrimage, which includes sa'i.
The ruling on sa'i by proxy mirrors the ruling on tawaf by proxy. The majority of scholars hold that sa'i cannot be delegated as an isolated act — it can only be performed by proxy as part of a complete proxy Hajj or Umrah. If a pilgrim is present in Makkah but unable to walk the distance between Safa and Marwah, they should be carried in a wheelchair, on a stretcher, or by another person. Sa'i performed while riding or being carried is fully valid according to all four schools of jurisprudence.
Sheikh Ibn Baz ruled that a person who cannot walk should perform sa'i in a wheelchair, and their sa'i is complete and valid. He emphasized that modern wheelchairs and the specially designed lanes in the Mas'a corridor make this accessible for virtually everyone. Only in cases of total incapacitation — where the person cannot be moved at all — does the question of proxy arise, and in such cases, a proxy should be appointed for the entire Hajj or Umrah, not just the sa'i.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen added that if a person completed tawaf but then became severely ill and cannot perform sa'i even in a wheelchair, they should wait until they recover. If recovery is not expected, the scholars who permit proxy for individual rites would allow sa'i by proxy in this extreme case, but this is a minority view. The safer position is to appoint a proxy for the complete pilgrimage if the person is permanently incapacitated.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed sa'i between Safa and Marwah while riding his camel so that the people could see him and ask him questions.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed sa'i between Safa and Marwah while riding his camel so that the people could see him and ask him questions.
A woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of Hajj has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on a riding animal. Shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
A woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of Hajj has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on a riding animal. Shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Sa'i cannot be delegated as a standalone act. The incapacitated should be carried. If completely unable, the entire Hajj is delegated.
Al-Hidayah: sa'i, like tawaf, is a personal physical act that must be performed by the pilgrim themselves.
The Maliki school does not permit standalone proxy sa'i. The person should use a wheelchair or be carried. Proxy for the entire Hajj is the solution for total incapacitation.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik required personal performance of sa'i, with accommodation through riding.
Proxy sa'i as a standalone act is not permitted. The person should be carried if unable to walk. The Shafi'i school permits riding during sa'i even without an excuse.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: sa'i is a personal act, and riding is permissible for those who need it.
The standard Hanbali position requires personal performance of sa'i, with wheelchair as an accommodation. Proxy for individual rites is not the standard position.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: sa'i should be performed personally, with riding permitted for those with excuses.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed sa'i between Safa and Marwah while riding his camel so that the people could see him and ask him questions.
Sahih Muslim #1273 (sahih)A woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of Hajj has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on a riding animal. Shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1513 (sahih)