Dar al-Ifta confirmed the validity of performing sa’y in the new mas’a which the Saudi government established to expand the area where sa’y is performed between as-Safa and al-Marwa. The fatwa stated that the sa’y performed in the new mas’a is valid and fulfills the obligation.
In its fatwa, Dar al-Ifta clarified that the verses of the Holy Qur`an demonstrate that the whole area between the two mounts is a place where sa’y may be performed. Moreover, the verses are general and do not specify a certain area or exclude another in the area between the two mounts and that the new mas’a lies between as-Safa and al-Marwa.
Dar al-Ifta: It is valid for pilgrims to perform sa’yvin the new mas’a between as-Safa and al-Marwa.
The fatwa further added that sa’y is accomplished by spanning the entire distance between as-Safa and al-Marwa,signified by the end of the railing at the beginning of the ascension point of the mounts.This is the beginning for both as-Safa and al-Marwa.
Walking the whole distance between the two mounts is obligatory according to Hanafi scholars. However, neglecting to span the entire distance does not invalidate sa’y, but obligates the pilgrim to slaughter in expiation.
The above was mentioned in a fatwa issued by the Fatwa Council at Dar al-Ifta in its reply to an inquiry about the legitimacy of performing sa’y in the new mas’a and the ruling for making this expansion in the first place.