Is the Hajj of one who left off the Farewell Tawaf valid?

Question: We performed Hajj seven years ago and left off the Farewell Tawaf, and we returned to Jeddah. Is our Hajj valid, and what is required of us?


Answer: The Hajj is valid, but you did wrong in leaving off the Farewell Tawaf; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the pilgrims to perform the Farewell Tawaf. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and this is an address to the pilgrims that includes the people of Jeddah and others. It is obligatory for all the people of the towns—whether in Jeddah, Ta'if, or elsewhere—to bid farewell to the House. Some scholars were lenient in this matter regarding those whose residence is less than the distance for shortening the prayer, such as the people of Bahrah and their like, and they said that no Farewell Tawaf is required of them. The most cautious course for everyone who is outside the Sacred Precinct is to bid farewell when his Hajj is completed. The people of Jeddah are far away, and so are the people of Ta'if. It is obligatory for them to bid farewell before they leave; because the hadith includes them. They owe a sacrificial animal to be slaughtered in Mecca for each one of them who left off the Farewell Tawaf, to be distributed to the poor: a sheep, or a seventh of a camel, or a seventh of a cow.