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Are the circumambulation (Tawaf) and the ritual walking between Safa and Marwa (Sa'i) valid if I smelled an impure scent and stepped on wetness during the circumambulation, and did not pay attention to it, then completed the circumambulation, the Sa'i, and the shortening of the hair (Taqsir)?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

According to the majority of scholars, for a circumambulation (Tawaf) to be valid, covering the 'awrah (intimate parts) and being free from minor and major ritual impurity (hadath) and physical impurity (najasah) are conditions. However, Abu Hanifa did not stipulate this. If you were afflicted by impurity while still in Mecca, you must repeat the circumambulation and the ritual running (Sa'i). But if you have returned to your country and were unaware of the invalidity of the circumambulation due to impurity, you may adopt Abu Hanifa's view that purity is not a condition. Ibn Qudamah mentioned that Ahmad said: "According to Ahmad, purity is not a condition. So, whoever circumambulates while impure, if in Mecca, repeats it. If he has left for his country, it is compensated by a sacrificial animal (dam)." However, if you are not certain that impurity afflicted you, then there is nothing upon you, as the default is soundness.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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