What is the ruling on the order of the rites of 'Umrah?

Question:
The questioner says: I began the rites of 'Umrah with al-Safa and al-Marwah, and after that I performed the tawaf around the House. Is the 'Umrah valid? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
No, it is not valid. It is not valid because you reversed the rites. It is obligatory that you begin with the tawaf, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did. You begin with the tawaf first, and after you finish the tawaf and pray the two rak'ahs of the tawaf, you go to the sa'y. This is what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did. So you must repeat this 'Umrah. You must repeat the sa'y; you repeat only the sa'y. The tawaf is valid; you performed it. What remains for you is the sa'y, because you performed the sa'y before the tawaf, which is not its proper place. So you perform it after the tawaf, and you shorten your hair or shave your head, and with this your 'Umrah is completed. Yes.