Is it permissible to separate the Tawaf and Sa'i by two hours or more, and then perform the Sa'i afterwards?
There is no harm in delaying the Sa'i (ritual circumambulation between Safa and Marwa) after the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), although it is better for the Sa'i to immediately follow the Tawaf. Ibn Qudamah mentioned that Imam Ahmad, 'Ata', Al-Hasan, Al-Qasim, and Sa'id ibn Jubayr held the view that it is permissible to delay the Sa'i. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' issued a fatwa stating that the Sunnah is for the Sa'i to immediately follow the Tawaf, if possible, but if one delays it considerably and then performs the Sa'i, it is still sufficient. Ibn 'Uthaymeen emphasized that the continuity between Tawaf and Sa'i is a Sunnah, not an obligation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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