Short answer
In the Hanafi school sa'i is wajib, not a pillar. Leaving all of it, or four or more laps, requires a dam; leaving one to three laps requires sadaqah for each lap. Sa'i done before a valid tawaf does not count and must be repeated. The other three schools make sa'i a pillar that nothing can replace.
Sa'i between Safa and Marwah is wajib in Hajj and umrah. It must follow a tawaf of at least four rounds, start at Safa and have seven laps. Leaving most of it requires a dam; leaving fewer than four laps requires half a sa' of wheat (or its value) per lap. Walking is wajib for one who is able.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Sa'i is a pillar; Hajj or umrah is not complete without it, and no dam replaces it.
- Maliki
- Sa'i is a pillar; Hajj or umrah is not complete without it.
- Hanbali
- Sa'i is a pillar in the relied-upon view.
Explanation
The Quran calls Safa and Marwah "among the symbols of Allah" and says there is no blame on the pilgrim who walks between them. The Hanafis read this, with the hadith, as making sa'i wajib rather than a pillar. The Prophet ﷺ began at Safa, reciting the verse and saying: "I begin with what Allah began with."
- Started at Marwah: the first lap does not count. Add one at the end.
- Lost count: build on the number you are sure of.
- Sa'i before tawaf: not valid. Do the tawaf, then repeat the sa'i.
- Breaks: stopping for prayer, rest or wudu is fine; continue where you left off.
- Wudu: not required, see wudu for sa'i.
- Wheelchair: allowed for those who need it; see tawaf and sa'i in a wheelchair.
- Upper floors: sa'i on the upper levels of the Mas'a is valid.
If you left Makkah without it: in the Hanafi school a dam (for four laps or more) settles it and your Hajj or umrah is valid. You may instead return and do it, but coming back from outside the miqat needs a new ihram. Ask a scholar which is easier in your case. For the sadaqah amount, see sadaqat al-fitr.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:158
۞ إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٥٨﴾
Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.
The basis of sa'i.
Sahih Muslim 1218
Sahih... أبدأ بما بدأ الله به ...
"I begin with what Allah began with."
Sa'i starts at Safa.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-jinayat. A dam for leaving sa'i or most of it; sadaqah per lap for less.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Manasik, chapter on sa'i. Sa'i must follow a tawaf and starts at Safa.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-sa'i. The Shafi'i view that sa'i is a pillar.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.