the Farewell Circumambulation for anyone departing from Mecca—whether performing ḥajj, ʿumrah, or otherwise—and whether a distinction should be drawn between a traveler whose journey reaches the distance that permits shortening the prayer and one whose journey falls short of that. The Council examined the study prepared by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Fatwas on the subject, commissioned by the Council during its thirteenth session, and it became clear that the scholars differ on these issues according to their respective ijtihād. The divergence is well known, recorded in the hadith collections, the works of fiqh, and the manuals of pilgrimage, and scholars continue to act on whichever view they deem better supported by the evidence.

It is therefore incumbent upon the pilgrim—and upon others as well—to be keen to follow the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in his words and deeds as far as they are able, for he ﷺ said, “Take your rites from me.” In these disputed matters, the Council accordingly holds that a layperson should seek a fatwa from a scholar whose religion and trustworthiness he is confident of; the layperson’s school is that of the scholar who issues him the fatwa. Success is granted by Allah alone. May blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

Council of Senior Scholars
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