Sa’ee refers to walking between the Safa hill and the Marwah hill. If one goes from Safa to Marwa, it is counted as one Sa’ee, and returning from Marwah to Safa completes the second Sa’ee. In this manner, a total of seven rounds of Sa’ee must be performed. This act is mandatory for both Umrah and Hajj.
History of Sa’ee
The mother of Isma’il, Hajar, ran back and forth between Safa and Marwah in search of water. Eventually, Allah blessed her with the water of Zamzam. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left his wife Hajar and infant son Isma’il under a large tree on the eastern side of Masjid al-Haram with a small pouch of dates and a skin of water. When the water ran out, the mother and child started to struggle. Hajar climbed Safa Hill to see if anyone was around but found no one. Then, she descended into the valley, lifted a corner of her garment, and ran like a desperate person. She reached Marwah but still found no one. She repeated this seven times.
The act of performing seven rounds of Sa’ee in emulation of Hajar carries profound wisdom, obedience, revival of the Prophets’ Sunnah, and respect for the sacred sites of Allah. It serves as a reminder to internalize, practice, and build one’s life according to these principles. In a hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
انما جعل الطواف بالبيت وبين الصفا والمروة ورمي الجمار
لاقامة ذكر الله رواه احمد وابوداؤد والدارمي والترمذي
Translation: “The purpose of circumambulating the Ka’bah, performing Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah, and stoning the Jamaraat is to establish the remembrance of Allah.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Al-Darimi, and Al-Tirmidhi)
During Sa’ee, one must walk briskly, especially in specific sections. Similarly, brisk walking (known as Ramal) is required during the first three rounds of Tawaf. This brisk walking is a unique feature of this Ummah. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Companions were weakened by a fever in Medina. When they came to Mecca with the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform Umrah, the polytheists of Mecca commented that the Muslims had become weak due to Medina’s fever. Upon hearing this, the Prophet instructed the Companions to briskly walk during the first three rounds of Tawaf to show their strength. Observing this, the polytheists remarked that the Muslims appeared stronger than them. Ibn Abbas added that the Prophet wanted to order brisk walking in all rounds of Tawaf but refrained to avoid making it a permanent obligation. (Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Nasa’i, and Bayhaqi)
Description of Safa and Marwah
The path between the hills of Safa and Marwah is one of the sacred symbols of Allah. Performing Sa’ee between these two hills is considered Wajib in the Hanafi school of thought and obligatory (Fard) in some narrations of the Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki schools of thought.
Safa is a relatively low hill and part of the nearby elevated Jabal Abu Qubays. It is located adjacent to Bab al-Safa, southeast of Masjid al-Haram.
Marwah, on the other hand, is located northeast of Masjid al-Haram and is part of Jabal Qaiqan, another low hill. It is adjacent to Bab al-Marwah.
The path between these two hills, called Mas’a, is the route for performing Sa’ee. This path is 405 meters long. It usually takes 6-7 minutes to walk between one hill and the other and about 40-45 minutes to complete the seven rounds. During crowded times or for elderly individuals, it may take longer.
During the pre-Islamic period of ignorance, an idol named Asaf was located on Safa, and another idol named Na’ilah was located on Marwah. People would circumambulate the Ka’bah and then touch these idols. After the advent of Islam, some Muslims hesitated to perform Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah, fearing a resemblance to pre-Islamic practices. To address this concern, Allah revealed the following verse:
إن الصفا والمروة من شعائر الله لمن حج البيت أو اعتمر، فلا جناح عليه أن يطوف بهما. وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Translation: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj to the House or Umrah, there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good—then indeed, Allah is appreciative and knowing.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the Sa’ee of Safa and Marwah:
ابدأوا بما يداً.
Translation: “Begin with Safa because Allah mentioned it first in the verse.”
The Prophet also said:
إن اللَّهَ كَتَبَ عَلَيْكُمْ السَّعَى فَاسْعَرُوا
Translation: “Allah has made Sa’ee obligatory upon you, so perform Sa’ee.”
Imam Ahmad narrated from Safiya bint Shayba, who narrated from Habiba bint Abi Tajra that Habiba said: “I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) performing Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah. He had people behind him, and as he walked briskly, his lower garment shifted, and I saw his blessed knees. He said, ‘Complete it, for Allah has made Sa’ee obligatory upon you.'”
Safa-Marwa: From Past to Present
The peaks of Safa and Marwa were distinct and originated from the base of Jabal Abu Qubais. Twelve stairs were carved into the rock to reach the highest summit of the mountain. Pilgrims performing Sa’i could climb to the peak if they wished. Marwa was a detached part of Mount Qu’ayqan, separated by a small open area. There were also many steps to ascend to its summit.
Radi bin Khalil Al-Maliki stated that there were 12 steps to ascend Safa and 15 steps for Marwa.
Ibn Battuta, in his travel accounts, mentioned that there were 14 steps to ascend Safa and 15 steps for Marwa.
Al-Abrari noted that during the Abbasid Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansur’s era, the Governor of Mecca, Abdus Samad bin Ali, constructed 12 steps on Safa and 15 on Marwa. Later, during the time of Caliph Al-Ma’mun, a white plaster coating was added to the steps. People were free to ascend and descend the peaks as they wished. However, over the last 1,300 years, no ruler or wealthy individual constructed a paved path for Sa’i between Safa and Marwa or built shade structures to protect pilgrims from the sun, nor did anyone perceive the necessity for such improvements. Only stairs were built on Safa and Marwa, and small decorative minarets were erected as symbols of beauty.
In 1339 AH, King Sharif Hussein bin Ali was the first to construct shaded shelters over the Mas’aa (path between Safa and Marwa). These consisted of iron pillars below and a wooden roof above.
In 1345 AH, under the orders of King Abdul Aziz, the Mas’aa was paved for the first time, providing significant comfort for pilgrims. Premium marble stones were laid on the path.
During the Saudi rule in 1375 AH, when the grand expansion of Masjid Al-Haram was undertaken and a three-story mosque was constructed, a two-story building was built over Safa and Marwa. This allowed pilgrims to perform Sa’i on both the ground and upper floors. This multi-level arrangement proved highly beneficial during crowded Hajj seasons.
Air coolers were installed along the walls of the ground floor of Mas’aa to maintain a cooler environment during hot weather. Additionally, six overhead bridges were constructed along the Mas’aa. These bridges facilitated movement for people heading to and from the mosque, preventing them from disrupting the Sa’i of other pilgrims. Prior to the construction of these bridges, worshippers walking to the mosque would obstruct pilgrims performing Sa’i.
During Saudi governance, green electric lights were installed at the boundaries of the portion of Mas’aa where pilgrims must walk briskly. These lights illuminate 24 hours a day. Pilgrims begin brisk walking when they reach the first light and stop when they reach the next one.
In the middle of the Mas’aa path, from start to end, facilities have been arranged for sick and elderly individuals to perform Sa’i using wheelchairs. Three low walls, about one and a half hand spans high, have been constructed, adorned with marble. Sick and elderly individuals can use wheelchairs for Sa’i either for a fee or free if accompanied by an attendant. The Haram administration regulates the wages for helpers and provides free wheelchairs to those in need. Currently, there are 1,000 wheelchairs available for use.
Today, Safa and Marwa have been integrated into the building of Masjid Al-Haram. Without entering the premises, one cannot discern that they were separate from the mosque. However, the Haram’s extended area is shorter than the length of Safa and Marwa.
Du’a for Sa’i
Safa and Marwa are among the holy sites where prayers are accepted, making it highly recommended to pray at these two locations.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended Safa after performing Tawaf. He faced the Ka’bah, raised his hands, and praised Allah while making supplications.
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) approached Safa and recited this verse:
إن الصفا والمروة من شعائر الله.
Then he said, “I will begin with what Allah has begun with.” He then ascended Safa, faced the Ka’bah, and, while praising Allah’s greatness, recited this Du’a:
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير. لا إله إلا الله وحده – الجزوعده، ونصر عبده وهزم الأحزاب وحده.
Translation: “There is no god but Allah alone; He has no partner. His is the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over all things. There is no god but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, aided His servant, and defeated the enemy parties all by Himself.”
The Prophet recited this supplication three times, making additional Du’a in between. Then he proceeded to Marwa and repeated the same actions.
Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) used to ascend Safa, face the Ka’bah, and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar). He would then recite this Du’a:
اللهم اعصمني بدينك وطواعيتك وطواعية رَسُولُكَ – اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِمَّنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَيُحِبُّ مَلائِكَتِكَ وَعِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ – اللَّهُمْ يَسَّرْنِي لِلْيُسْرَى وَجَنَّبْنِي لِلْعُسْرَى وَأَغْفِرْ لِي فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولى وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَئِمَّةِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ النَّعِيمِ وَاغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي يَوْمَ الدِّيْنِ – اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ ” ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ – وَأَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ – اللَّهُمَّ إِذْهَدَيْتَنِي لِلإِسْلَامِ فَلَا تَنْزِعْنِي مِنْهُ وَلَا تَنْزِعُهُ مِنِّى حَتَّى تَتَوَفَّانِي وَأَنَا عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ – اللَّهُمَّ لا تُقَدِّمْنِي لِلْعَذَابِ وَلَا تُؤَخِّرْنِي لِسُوءِ الْفِتَنِ .
Translation: “O Allah! Protect me with Your religion and obedience to You and Your Messenger. O Allah! Make me among those who love You, Your angels, and Your righteous servants. O Allah! Make good and easy deeds easy for me and keep me away from difficult ones. Forgive me in this world and the Hereafter. Make me an Imam for the righteous and one of the inheritors of Paradise. Forgive me for my sins on the Day of Judgment. O Allah! You have said, ‘Call upon Me, and I will answer you,’ and You never break Your promises. O Allah! Since you have guided me to Islam, do not take it away from me, nor take me away from it until I die as a Muslim. O Allah! Do not hasten my punishment, nor prolong my life amidst trials and tribulations.”
