The Difference In Sa'ee Between Men And Women

The method of performing Sa'ee, in general, is the same for men and women. However, there are basic differences in the etiquettes of Sa'ee between men and women.

Firstly: A woman in her Menses

As is explained in the books of Fiqh, it is not a must that a person be clean from sexual impurity (Janaabah) or, for women, her monthly period in order to perform Sa'ee. However this issue needs a little clarification.

According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is only permissible for a woman in sexual impurity or her menses to perform the Sa'ee if she has already performed the Tawaf in a state of purity. Meaning, if her menses started after the Tawaf then it is ok to continue with the Sa'ee.

However, scholars have disagreed with the Hanafi school of thought on this issue for the following reason:

It was narrated by Bukhari that Umm Al-Mu'mineen Aisha - radi Allahu 'anha - said, “I arrived in Makkah and at the time I was in my monthly period. I had not performed the Tawaf of the (Ka'bah), nor had I performed the (Sa'ee) between Safa and Marwah.” She continues, “I mentioned this to Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - and he said to me, `Do as the Haaji (Hajj pilgrim) does other than performing Tawaf of the (Ka'bah) until you are clean.'”

In explaining this Hadith, Ibn Hajar said:

As for the acceptability of performing Sa'ee before Tawaf, scholars of Hadeeth considered it permissible, citing as their proof the hadith of Usaamah ibn Shuraik in which a man came to the Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - and said, “I performed Sa'ee before performing Tawaf.” The Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - replied, “Perform Tawaf, there is no difficulty.”

Thus, a woman in her menses may perform all the rites of Hajj other than the Tawaf. And she may perform the Sa'ee before her Tawaf in accordance with the Hadith of Usaamah ibn Shuraik and her Sa'ee with be correct and acceptable.

Those that forbade the woman from performing Sa'ee until she first becomes clean of her menses, placed a condition on her has no basis. In reality, the proof we have mentioned rejects this opinion.

Raml, jogging, between Safa and Marwa

Imam Ash-Shaafi'ee said, “A woman should not jog between Safa and Marwah, nor should she uncover her arm like a man. This is because she is seeks coming closer to Allah by covering and protecting herself and jogging and uncovering would contradict that.”

However, according to the scholars of the Shafi'ee school of thought, there are two opinions on this issue.

The first, which is the opinion of the majority, is that she should not jog in the jogging area. Instead she should walk all throughout the distance from Mount Safa to Mount Marwah - whether it be daytime or nighttime when no one is watching. This is because she is `Awrah and her fiqh is based on covering and protecting herself.

The second, which is held by a minority, is that if she is performing Sa'ee at night and there is no one watching, it is desirable for her to jog in the area of jogging.