The Ruling on Sa'y Before Tawaf

Question:
Is it valid to perform sa'y (walking between al-Safa and al-Marwah) before tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'bah)? I have read in some manuals of rites that it is valid, citing a narration in Abu Dawud.

Answer:
The majority hold that it is not valid to perform sa'y before tawaf, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never performed sa'y before tawaf in any of his 'Umrah or Hajj, nor did his Companions, except for one who said, "I did not realize." One said, "I did not realize" , and he was told, "Do it, and there is no harm." This person did not realize; he forgot or was ignorant. The norm for the Companions is that they perform sa'y, and likewise the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) performs sa'y before tawaf. Yes.