Wudu (ablution) is not required for sa'i between Safa and Marwah according to the consensus of all four schools of jurisprudence. Say performed without abdest is completely valid. Even a menstruating woman may perform sa'i, as Hz. Peygamber told Aisha to do everything hacilar do except tavaf. While abdest is sunnet (mustahabb) for sa'i, it is not a condition or obligation.
Wudu is not required for sa'i between Safa and Marwah according to the consensus of scholars from all four schools of jurisprudence. Unlike tavaf, where the requirement of abdest is debated, scholars unanimously agree that sa'i is valid without abdest. This is a significant practical relief for hacilar, especially during the extreme crowding and heat of Hac season when maintaining ablution is very difficult.
The evidence for this ruling is clear. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) told Aisha when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the hacilar do, but do not perform tavaf around the House.' This hadith explicitly permitted her to perform sa'i (and all other rites) while in a state of menstruation, which is a greater state of ritual impurity than minor hadath. If sa'i is valid without the major purification (gusul) required after menstruation, it is certainly valid without the minor purification (abdest).
Sheikh Ibn Baz and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen both confirmed that while performing sa'i with abdest is better and more rewarding — as abdest is sunnet for all acts of worship — it is not a condition of validity. A haci who breaks abdest during sa'i may continue without renewing it. The Permanent Committee issued the same ruling, emphasizing that this is a matter of scholarly agreement (ijma') and there is no significant dispute on this point.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the hacilar do, but do not perform tavaf around the House until you are purified.'
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the hacilar do, but do not perform tavaf around the House until you are purified.'
In the description of Hz. Peygamber's Hac, Jabir said: 'Then Hz. Peygamber went out from the gate to Safa. When he came near Safa, he recited: Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.'
In the description of Hz. Peygamber's Hac, Jabir said: 'Then Hz. Peygamber went out from the gate to Safa. When he came near Safa, he recited: Indeed Safa and Marwah 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 sa'i. It is mustahabb (sunnet) but not a condition. Say without abdest is fully valid.
Al-Hidayah: 'Purity is sunnet for sa'i but is not a condition of its validity.'
The Maliki school agrees that abdest is not a condition for sa'i. Menstruating women may perform sa'i. Wudu is sunnet but not farz.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik did not require purity for sa'i, based on the hadith permitting menstruating women to perform all rites except tavaf.
Wudu is mustahabb for sa'i but not required. The Shafi'i school holds that sa'i is valid without abdest or even in a state of major impurity.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: 'Purity is not a condition for the validity of sa'i by consensus.'
The Hanbali school does not require abdest for sa'i. It is sunnet but not a condition. This is the consensus position.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 'Purity is not a condition for sa'i, and it is valid even for the menstruating woman.'
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said to her when she was menstruating: 'Do everything the hacilar do, but do not perform tavaf around the House until you are purified.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1650 (sahih)In the description of Hz. Peygamber's Hac, Jabir said: 'Then Hz. Peygamber went out from the gate to Safa. When he came near Safa, he recited: Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.'
Sahih Muslim #1218 (sahih)