The ruling on performing sa'y (walking between al-Safa and al-Marwah) before the tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah) of Ifadah

Question:
The questioner says: A man came to the Noble Makkah for Hajj, and he was performing tamattu' (combining 'Umrah and Hajj with a break between them), and he performed the rites of Hajj. In the tawaf of Ifadah, he performed sa'y before the tawaf, acting on the principle that "do it, and there is no harm." What is the ruling?

Answer:
By Allah, this is a matter of great danger. Some scholars have issued a fatwa permitting the performance of sa'y before the tawaf; some scholars have issued such a fatwa. However, the majority, and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and the position upon which one should act, is that sa'y is not to be performed except after the tawaf. So, if it is possible for him to repeat the sa'y, he should repeat it, as that is safer for him. He should repeat it if possible, as that is safer for him and clears his conscience.