Is riding among the recommended practices of tawaf?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is riding among the recommended practices of tawaf in Hajj and 'Umrah? Is riding among the recommended practices of tawaf in Hajj and 'Umrah?

Answer:
Riding in tawaf and sa'y is permissible when there is a need. The default is that a person walks in tawaf and walks in sa'y, and this is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did; he walked in his tawaf and sa'y. He only rode (peace and blessings be upon him) to make it clear to people that riding is permissible when there is a need. When the people crowded around him to look at him, he rode on a moving vehicle so that people could see him without crowding around to see him (peace and blessings be upon him).
Likewise, the sick person and the small child who cannot bear walking; he is carried in tawaf or in sa'y, and there is no blame on him. The default is walking, and riding or being carried is permissible for a need, such as illness, fatigue, young age, and other such excuses.