Is Voluntary Sa’i Permissible? — Complete Shariah Guidance
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Is voluntary (nafl) Sa’i permissible?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Voluntary Sa’i is not established in Shariah. The act of Sa’i is exclusive to Hajj or ʿUmrah, and this is clearly supported by the Qur’an.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنَّ الصَّفا وَالمَروَةَ مِن شَعائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَن حَجَّ البَيتَ أَوِ اعتَمَرَ فَلا جُناحَ عَلَيهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِما وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 158)
“Indeed, Ṣafā and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj to the House or performs ʿUmrah — there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever does good voluntarily — then indeed, Allah is Appreciative, Knowing.”
This verse makes it clear that Sa’i is from the symbols (shaʿāʾir) of Allah tied specifically to the rites of Hajj and ʿUmrah. There is no concept of a separate, independent voluntary Sa’i in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
Therefore, voluntary Sa’i is not permissible as an independent act of worship. It is a prescribed ritual that Allah ﷻ has included only in the acts of Hajj and ʿUmrah. Performing it outside these acts is neither Sunnah nor in accordance with Sharʿi principles.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
Is voluntary (nafl) Sa’i permissible?
Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Voluntary Sa’i is not established in Shariah. The act of Sa’i is exclusive to Hajj or ʿUmrah, and this is clearly supported by the Qur’an.
Evidence from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنَّ الصَّفا وَالمَروَةَ مِن شَعائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَن حَجَّ البَيتَ أَوِ اعتَمَرَ فَلا جُناحَ عَلَيهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِما وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 158)
“Indeed, Ṣafā and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj to the House or performs ʿUmrah — there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever does good voluntarily — then indeed, Allah is Appreciative, Knowing.”
This verse makes it clear that Sa’i is from the symbols (shaʿāʾir) of Allah tied specifically to the rites of Hajj and ʿUmrah. There is no concept of a separate, independent voluntary Sa’i in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
Conclusion
Therefore, voluntary Sa’i is not permissible as an independent act of worship. It is a prescribed ritual that Allah ﷻ has included only in the acts of Hajj and ʿUmrah. Performing it outside these acts is neither Sunnah nor in accordance with Sharʿi principles.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my opinion, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
