SA'I IN AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

[Bararthani]

Question: What is the duty of a Hajj pilgrim in the present circumstance in which the old distance between Safa and Marwah is closed and reconstructed whereas an alternate route has been opened for pilgrims to perform their Umrah? Is the Umra valid?

Answer: The reply is in different forms:
N* 1- The pilgrim knows that Safa & Marwa mounts do not continue up to the new Mas'a (place for Sa'i'). In this case, to be able to come out from the state of Ihram, the pilgrim should slaughter an animal (Qurbani) in Mecca -in terms of obligatory precaution, that animal should have the same conditions as the sacrifice in Mina- and distribute it among the poor and then cut his hair (Takseer) or shave his head (Halq). This applies to the one who was not aware of this current situation before being clothed in Ihram. Otherwise, if he had known this problem beforehand, according to obligatory precaution, he cannot come out from Ihram and should stay there until the accomplishment of the Sa'i become possible for him. He may refer in this case to another Marja considering the most knowledgeable (Aalam fal Aalam)
N* 2- The pilgrim is sure that the mounts continue up to the new
Mas'a or this is proven by the Fatwa of some other Maraje that
trustees had witnessed and this witness is not contradicting the view of other trustees. In such case, it is allowed to do the Sa'i in the new place.
N* 3- If none of the above situations are proven for him, he should do both: Sa'i in the new way and also slaughtering an animal with the same conditions mentioned above, and then do Halq or Taqseer.
Note:
For those who have already done their Umra with the Sa'i in the new way should now sacrifice the animal and then do Halq or Taqseer, even if they have already come back to their countries, as they are still considered as Muhrim (being in the state of Ihram).