Resting during sa'i is permissible according to all four schools of jurisprudence. A حاجی may sit down to rest between laps, drink water, or take a break for any genuine need without invalidating their sa'i. When the iqamah for نماز is called, the حاجی should stop, pray, and then resume from where they left off. Continuity in sa'i is مستحب but not a condition of validity.
Resting during sa'i is permissible according to the consensus of scholars from all four schools of jurisprudence. A حاجی may sit down at Safa, Marwah, or anywhere along the Mas'a corridor to rest, drink water, or recover from fatigue without invalidating their sa'i. The continuity (muwalah) of sa'i is مستحب (mustahabb) but is not a condition (shart) for its validity جمہور علماء کے مطابق.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen explicitly stated that taking breaks during sa'i for rest, water, or to use the restroom is permissible, and the حاجی resumes from where they stopped. He noted that the Mas'a is a long corridor (approximately 450 meters each way), and performing seven complete laps is physically demanding, especially in the heat. Islam does not impose unnecessary hardship, and resting is a natural and permitted response to fatigue.
If the iqamah for an واجب نماز is called during sa'i, the حاجی should stop, join the congregational نماز, and then resume their sa'i from the point where they stopped. Sheikh Ibn Baz confirmed this ruling, adding that resting on Safa or Marwah to make دعا (دعا) is actually from the Sunnah, as نبی کریم used to make lengthy دعائیں while standing on Safa and Marwah. The key point is that the حاجی must complete all seven laps — the breaks in between do not invalidate the previously completed laps.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) climbed upon Safa until he could see the کعبۃ اللہ, then he raised his hands and began to remember Allah and supplicate, and he stayed there for a long time.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) climbed upon Safa until he could see the کعبۃ اللہ, then he raised his hands and began to remember Allah and supplicate, and he stayed there for a long time.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'When the iqamah for نماز is called, there is no نماز except the واجب نماز.'
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'When the iqamah for نماز is called, there is no نماز except the واجب نماز.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Resting during sa'i is permissible. Continuity is not a condition. The حاجی may rest, drink, and resume without issue.
Al-Hidayah: continuity in sa'i is Sunnah, not a condition of validity.
The Maliki school recommends continuity but permits breaks for genuine needs. Long delays without excuse may require restarting according to some Maliki scholars, but the prevailing view permits resuming.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik مستحب continuity but did not make it a strict condition.
Breaks during sa'i are permissible and the حاجی resumes from where they stopped. The Shafi'i school is lenient on the issue of continuity in sa'i.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: 'Continuity is not a condition for sa'i, and breaks are permissible.'
The Hanbali school permits breaks during sa'i. Continuity is مستحب but not a condition. Breaks for نماز, rest, and water are all valid reasons.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: breaks during sa'i do not invalidate it, and the حاجی resumes from where they stopped.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) climbed upon Safa until he could see the کعبۃ اللہ, then he raised his hands and began to remember Allah and supplicate, and he stayed there for a long time.
Sahih Muslim #1218 (sahih)نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'When the iqamah for نماز is called, there is no نماز except the واجب نماز.'
Sahih Muslim #710 (sahih)