nor fatigue nor hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict any harm upon an enemy, but a righteous deed is recorded for them thereby.” [Quran 9:120]

If he is unable to perform ramal during the first three circuits because of crowding, but is able to do so during the final three because the crowd has thinned, he should not make it up. This is because ramal is a sunnah in the first three circuits, and its proper time has passed. Moreover, if he were to perform ramal in the final circuits, he would be acting contrary to the sunnah, since the sunnah in the final circuits is to walk rather than perform ramal.

Performing ramal in all the circuits is an innovation that is to be prohibited, in addition to the hardship it entails for the person.

If someone were to ask: Why is ramal not performed in four circuits?

The answer is that its wisdom is as follows:

First: to make things easier for those performing circumambulation.

Second: so that it ends on an odd number, for the entire circumambulation is based on an odd number. Had we said that one performs ramal in the first four circuits, it would end on an even number; and had we said five, it would entail hardship. For this reason, wisdom dictates that it be performed in the first three circuits, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did.

If someone were to ask: If I must choose between performing ramal while remaining distant from the Kaaba, or walking while being close to it, which should I give precedence to?

The answer is: Give precedence to the former. Perform ramal, even if you are distant from the Kaaba, because giving due regard to a virtue connected with the act of worship itself takes precedence over giving due regard to a virtue connected with its time or place.”