A physically disabled man whose left leg is shorter than the right compensates for this shortage by wearing orthopedic shoes. Is it permissible for him to wear these shoes during the rites of hajj, such as tawaf and sa'y, which are performed inside the Sacred Mosque? Would this obligate him to make fidya? Are the shoelaces considered sewn garments?

In such a case as that mentioned in the question, it is permissible to wear orthopedic shoes with laces because it is a necessity and necessity renders prohibited things lawful. The inquirer, for whom it is necessary to wear orthopedic shoes, must make fidya by doing one of the following:

- Fast three days; or
- Feed six impoverished persons or give out the value of a meal to each person; or
- Slaughter a sheep or goat.
This is analogous to the fidya made by a person who covers his head during hajj because of an illness or any harm that might befall him. God the Almighty says:

And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), (he should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice (Quran 2:196).