THE OBLIGATIONS OF SAEE

THE OBLIGATIONS OF SAEE

This is the fourth obligation in Umrat-ul-Tamatoo. In Saee too, intention to seek nearness of Allah is obligatory but there is no obligation to cover the private parts or for cleanliness although it is preferable to be clean during Saee.

Saee is to be performed after Tawaaf and the prayers (salaat). If it 'is performed before the Tawaaf or the prayers, it is obligatory to repeat it after performing them. As for one who forgets to perform a Tawaaf and recalls after performing Saee.

Niyyah is necessary in Saee that it is performed for Umrah or Hajj, whichever is applicable, to attain nearness to Allah.

Saee consists of seven rounds. The starting point for Saee is the first part of Safaa and from there to proceed to Marwah. This is counted as the first round. Then one must return to Safaa and reach there. This would be counted as the second round. The process must be repeated until seven rounds are completed at Marwah. One should cover the whole distance between the two mountains each round and there is no need to climb on any of the mountains even though it is preferable to do so. It is obligatory, as a matter of caution, that there should be continuity in its performance and there should not be a gap of time between the rounds.

If a person starts from Marwah as the first round, the Saee will be invalid and he must restart from Safaa.

Although it is better but it is not necessary in Saee that the pilgrim must walk; it is permissible to ride on an animal or be carried by another person or pushed on a wheelchair.

It is necessary in Saee that the pilgrim must go and return between Safaa and Marwah on the known track. It is not permissible to go or return via the Mosque or along another route. However, there is also no requirement that one must walk absolutely straight.

When walking to Marwah, one must advance towards it and likewise when proceeding towards Safaa; one must advance to it. It is not permissible to turn one's back to Marwah if proceeding to it or turn one's back to Safaa when returning from Marwah. However, there is no objection to merely looking to the right, left or back in the course of the walk.

It is permitted to sit at Safaa or Marwah or between them to rest but, as a matter of caution, one must avoid sitting between Safaa and Marwah, except for those who are tired, or to pray at the earliest time. In these cases. one may complete the Saee from where it had been interrupted. As a matter of caution, if one interrupts a Saee one should complete it and then repeat it.