What is the ruling on one who performs sa'y between al-Marwah and al-Safa on the same side?
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The questioner : If a person performs the first lap of sa'y, and then on the second lap returns on the same side, meaning he returns in the same direction on the second lap?
The Shaykh : There is no basis for this. The distribution of the space, facing forward and facing backward, is merely an organizational measure and not a religious command. Therefore, if you perform sa'y on a single path, there is nothing wrong with it. However, when the crowds grew and people began to collide, push each other, and some even killed others, the authorities in charge of the affairs of the two Holy Mosques established a specific route. Otherwise, it was originally a single route, and we were aware of that. But if someone performs eight laps while in a state of forgetfulness, do we say he should make it odd by performing a ninth lap? No, we cancel the extra one. This is correct, just as if one adds a rak'ah in prayer, we do not say he should make it even. For example, if someone prays five rak'ahs in a four-rak'ah prayer, we do not say he should make it even. Some of the shaykhs told us that a layman insisted to him that he had performed eight laps and asked, "What do you say?" The shaykh said, "I say the eighth is cancelled and the seven are valid." The layman insisted, so the shaykh said, "If it is absolutely necessary, go to al-Marwah and return backward to al-Safa!" Just to cancel the eighth lap.
The Shaykh : There is no basis for this. The distribution of the space, facing forward and facing backward, is merely an organizational measure and not a religious command. Therefore, if you perform sa'y on a single path, there is nothing wrong with it. However, when the crowds grew and people began to collide, push each other, and some even killed others, the authorities in charge of the affairs of the two Holy Mosques established a specific route. Otherwise, it was originally a single route, and we were aware of that. But if someone performs eight laps while in a state of forgetfulness, do we say he should make it odd by performing a ninth lap? No, we cancel the extra one. This is correct, just as if one adds a rak'ah in prayer, we do not say he should make it even. For example, if someone prays five rak'ahs in a four-rak'ah prayer, we do not say he should make it even. Some of the shaykhs told us that a layman insisted to him that he had performed eight laps and asked, "What do you say?" The shaykh said, "I say the eighth is cancelled and the seven are valid." The layman insisted, so the shaykh said, "If it is absolutely necessary, go to al-Marwah and return backward to al-Safa!" Just to cancel the eighth lap.