What is Sa’i?

Being one of the compulsory pillars of Umrah and Hajj, the act of Sa’i refers to the ritual of walking or running between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. The hills are located near the Holy Ka’bah inside Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims from all over the world perform the act of Sa’i seven times while performing Tawaf. Keep reading to learn more about what Sa’i is.

Definition of Sa’i

Originally the word Sa’i comes from the Arabic word Sa’a which linguistically means to pursue or to walk or to strive. However, according to Islamic terminology, the meaning of Sa’i is to run or walk between Safa and Marwa while performing Hajj or Umrah. Performing Sa’i is the fourth compulsory rite of Hajj or Umrah. Muslims are obligated to perform Sa’i after the completion of Tawaf and its prayers. Based on Islamic history, the act of Sa’i is a commemoration of a mother’s sacrifice for her son.

Why Do Muslims Perform Sa’i?

As stated earlier, the Islamic ritual of Sa’i is performed to honour the struggle of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s wife Hajar (AS). As she ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water to feed her thirsty son Prophet Ismail (AS). On the significance of performing Sa’i, Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

“Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the hallmarks of Allah. So, whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no blame upon them for walking between them (i.e. Safa and Marwa). And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is all Appreciative and all Knowing.” [2:158]

The Tawaf during the Hajj or Umrah is essential to focus a Muslim’s mind on the power and oneness of Allah (SWT). However, the act of Sa’i is performed to honour the memory and struggle of Hajer (RA) – due to her unwavering reliance on Allah (SWT), her supplications (Dua) were miraculously answered.

What Is Safa and Marwa in Islam?

Masjid al-Haram in Makkah features two historical mounts Safa and Marwa. These two small hills are connected to the larger Qaiqan and Abu Qubais mountains, respectively, near the Sacred Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The total distance between the hills of Safa and Marwa is 45 kilometers (1,480 ft). However, while performing the seven laps of Sa’i, a Muslim covers the distance of approximately 1.96 miles (3.15 km). Moreover, the Sa’i will remain incomplete if you miss covering even the slightest part of the total distance.

Why Is Running Between Safa and Marwa Important?

Pilgrims run between the hills of Safa and Marwa in commemoration of the struggle and actions of Hajar (AS), who ran and climbed seven times between the hills in search of water for her thirsty son Prophet Ismail (AS). In other words, the act of Sa’i – running between Safa and Marwa – teaches Muslims the value of patience, hope, and having faith in Allah (SWT).

History of Sa’i

According to the history of Islam, Hajar (RA) was a Palestinian slave girl who lived with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his wife Sarah. Hajer (RA) was no ordinary girl, she was the daughter of Maghreb’s ruler. After a Pharaoh from Egypt killed her father, Hajer (RA) was bought as a slave and gifted to Sarah. With the passing years in their marriage, Sarah remained childless, and so she asked Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to marry Hajer (RA) and bear a child.

Not long after their marriage, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Hajer (RA) were blessed with a beautiful son, Prophet Ismail (AS), who was the to-be forefather of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and father of the Arabs. Soon after the birth of Prophet Ismail (AS), a revelation came to Prophet Ibrahim (AS), which ordered him to take Hajer (RA) and his son to Bakkah (present-day Makkah) and leave them with limited food and water under the shade of a tree.

Initially, Hajer (RA) was reluctant to be left alone with her infant son in the middle of the desert of Makkah. However, when she learned that it was the command of Allah (SWT), Hajer (RA) trusted Allah (SWT) and agreed to do as the Almighty commanded. Prophet Ibrahim (AS), on leaving his beloved wife and son, recited the following verses:

“Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So, make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:37)

Hajer (RA), who was nursing baby Ismail (AS), was now unable to produce milk soon after the food and water ran out. Due to the thirst, baby Ismail (AS) started having seizures. In desperation to save her only son Hajar (AS) ran seven times between the Safa and Marwa hills. She then climbed on top of Safa and Marwa to look for passing travelers and get a clearer view. On failing to find any help, she returned to check on her infant son, who was crying and scratching his heel on the barren land. That is when Angel Jibril (AS) was sent to their aid and with the command of Allah (SWT), a spring of water miraculously erupted from the barren land.

Hajer (RA) drank from the spring and picked up her baby Ismail (AS) to nurse. Later onwards, to contain the overflowing water Hajer (RA) dug a well to contain the spring, and she said “zam! zam!” which means “stop flowing.” Angel Jibril (AS) then assured Hajer (RA) that she should not be concerned about the health of baby Ismail (AS) and that her child along with Prophet Ibrahim (AS), will build the Sacred Kaaba at the same location.

How to Perform Sa’i

It is a Sunnah for Muslims to perform the act of Sa’i right after the completion of Tawaf. However, if you are tired, you can rest in the pavilion and return when you have your energy back. Sa’i starts with you offering Wudhu, followed by performing the act of Istilam on Hajr al Aswad (gesturing in its direction with your right hand and uttering takbir). You are then directed to take seven rounds between the Safa and Marwa hills. After completing the seven laps, it is advisable to return to Masjid al-Haram to offer two Rakats (units) of Nafl (voluntary) prayer.

 When to Perform Sa’i?

Because the Salat of Tawaf follows the Sa’i, it is recommended that you should be in the state of Wudhu. After Muslim pilgrims drink the holy water from the well of Zamzam, they start moving towards the hills of Safa and Marwa to perform Sa’i. As soon as Muslims reach on top of the Safa hill, they perform Istilaam (gesturing in its direction with your right hand and uttering takbir) while facing the Sacred Kaaba, thanking and praising Allah (SWT). The pilgrims then step downhill and move towards Marwa.

Do I Need Wudhu?

Whilst Wudhu is indeed compulsory (fardh) for Tawaf, it is not compulsory (fardh) for Sa’i. It is considered Sunnah to be in the state of Wudhu before performing Sa’i. This means that Sa’i will be considered valid and accepted by Allah (SWT) even if one performs Sa’i in the state of major or minor ritual impurity. This is why women experiencing post-natal bleeding or menstruation can also perform Sa’i.

Kissing Hajr al Aswad

Before performing Sa’i, it is a Sunnah for Muslims to re-visit Hajr al-Aswad to perform Istilam – kissing and touching the Black Stone if possible, alternatively, to gesture in its direction with your right hand whilst uttering takbir. Following the 8 other times, one performs Istilam after and during Tawaf; this will be the ninth time Istilam is performed on Hajr al-Aswad. Moreover, the act of Istilam will only be applicable if one performs Sa’i right after Tawaf.

However, if performing Istilam has skipped your mind, and you find it difficult to go back to the Hajr al-Aswad due to the crowds, the act of Istilam can be excluded. Nevertheless, you can also perform the sacred act while standing inside Masjid al-Haram facing Hajr al-Aswad.

Safa

Safa is one of the holiest mountains in Islam. It is located in same line as Hajr al-Aswad in Masjid Al-Haram. There is white signage that indicates the direction of Safa.

Duas to Recite at Safa

As soon as you are near the hill of Safa, it is Sunnah to recite the following verses:

“Indeed, Safa and Marwa are from the Signs of Allah.” [Surah al-Baqarah, 2:158]

Followed by the Supplication (Dua): “I begin with that which Allah has begun with.”

However, these prayers are only to be recited once at the start of the Sa’i and not at the beginning of each lap. After reaching the top of Safa, you should face the Sacred Kaaba and recite the following dua three times before asking for whatever it is they wish for:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

“Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise. There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death, and He has power over everything. There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave, and defeated the confederates alone. “

Make Your Way to Marwa

As you start walking towards Marwa, you will see green-coloured fluorescent lights set fifty meters apart. The lights indicate the total distance covered by Hajar (AS) to reach the top of the mountains. Therefore, it is a sunnah for all men to jog at a moderate pace between these lights. However, women are directed to walk at their normal pace.

Duas at Marwa

On reaching Marwa, you complete one lap of Sa’i. Thereafter, you are instructed to raise your hands, make dua and re-recite the verses that you recited earlier upon reaching Safa. Once you recite the prayers, step down and move back towards Safa. Your return to Safa will be the second lap. Repeat the steps till all 7 rounds have been completed; your seventh lap should end at the top of Marwa.

What Happens After Sa’i

After the final prayer at Marwa, it is advised that you go to Masjid al-Haram to perform two Rakats (units) of Nafl (voluntary) prayer.

Moreover, if you are performing Umrah along with Hajj, in one ihram, as Hajj  al-Tamattu’, you must shave or shorten your hair after performing the act of Sa’i and release yourself from the ihram of umrah (note: you will enter into a new state of ihram for your hajj just before you depart for Mina, either on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, or before).

However, if you are performing Hajj al-Qiran, (this is to perform both your Umrah and your Hajj together with a combined intention in one ihram), you have the choice to perform an extra tawaf before you go to Mina on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, this is called Tawaf Qudum. If you perform Tawaf Qudum, you can perform Sa’i immediately after it or you can perform Sa’i later, after your main tawaf, Tawaf al-Ifadha on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah after stoning the ‘Aqabah seven times, or the 11th or 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah (note: it is disliked or makruh to delay the Tawaf al-Ifadha till the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah). If you are not performing Sa’i immediately after a Tawaf Qudum, then you must shave or shorten your hair on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah after stoning the ‘Aqabah seven times. After, you have shaved your head or shortened your hair you are now free from the state of ihram, except you cannot have sexual relations with your spouse until you have completed the Tawaf al-Ifadha. If you did perform Sa’i immediately after a Tawaf Qudum then, you don’t do not have to cut your hair and are obligated to stay in Ihram until you have performed the main tawaf, Tawaf al-Ifadha

Summary – What Is Sa’i

The literal meaning of Sa’i is to walk or run. It is a compulsory part of Hajj and Umrah, which refers to running or walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Sa’i is performed in the memory of Hajer (RA) while she searched for water to feed her thirsty infant Prophet Ismail (AS).

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