Is performing the Hajj valid and complete without performing the farewell circumambulation?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

It should be known that the farewell circumambulation is a duty upon every pilgrim who performs the Hajj. If you ask about a personal experience when you performed the Hajj and did not perform the farewell circumambulation 8 or 9 years ago, you should know that it is a duty depending on the opinions of the majority of scholars who follow ash-Shafi’i, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, and Malik. However, a menstruating or a puerperal woman are excused from performing it. The prophet said: “No one should leave (Mecca) until he performs the last circumambulation of the House (the Ka’bah). Related by Muslim. Ibn Abbas RAA narrated “People were commanded to make the Tawaf round the Ka’bah their last rite (farewell Tawaf) but the menstruating women were excused from it. Agreed Upon.

Whoever did not perform it as they forgot, or as they were ignorant of its obligation must sacrifice and they are not considered sinful. In contrast, if one leaves it intentionally, they must sacrifice, and they are also considered sinful. In general, performing Hajj in both cases is valid and complete provided that they sacrifice a sheep.

If you ask about performing the farewell circumambulation by a person who is not a pilgrim; in other words, if one travels to Mecca to visit people or to do some work, this tawaf is not required because they do not to come to perform any ritual which requires any tawaf.