Sa'i (walking seven times between the sacred hills of Safa and Marwah) is a mandatory pillar (Wajib) of Umrah and Hajj.
This ritual commemorates the extraordinary devotion and faith of Sayyidatuna Hajar (radiyallahu 'anha), the mother of Prophet Isma'il ('alaihis-salam). When left in the barren desert of Makkah with her infant son, she ran back and forth seven times between the two hills searching for water until Allah Almighty miraculously brought forth the well of Zamzam.
Based on authoritative literature published by Dawat-e-Islami in Rafiq-ul-Haramayn and Method of Umrah, this guide details the step-by-step method of performing Sa'i correctly.
1. Prerequisites and Location for Sa'i
- Must Follow Tawaf: In Islamic jurisprudence, Sa'i can ONLY be performed after completing a valid Tawaf.
- Wudu Status: While Wudu is recommended (Mustahab) for Sa'i, if a pilgrim's Wudu breaks during Sa'i, the Sa'i remains valid.
- Location: Sa'i takes place inside the air-conditioned, multi-level gallery called the Mas'a connecting Safa and Marwah.
2. Step-by-Step Method of Sa'i
Step 1: Ascend Mount Safa
After finishing Tawaf, drinking Zamzam water, and performing Istilam, walk toward Mount Safa (marked clearly with signs inside Masjid al-Haram).
Upon approaching Safa, recite:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ "Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah." (Verily Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.)
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Step 2: Face the Qiblah from Safa and Make Dua
Climb onto the rocky slope of Safa until you can see the Holy Ka'bah (or face its direction):
- Raise both hands to shoulder height with palms facing Qiblah (like making Dua).
- Recite: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ("Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah").
- Make personal supplications (Dua) for several minutes (Dua at Safa is accepted!).
Step 3: Walk Toward Marwah (Lap 1)
Begin walking down the corridor from Safa toward Marwah.
#### The Green Light Running Zone (Milayn Akhdarayn) Approximately midway along the corridor, you will see bright green overhead neon lights:
- Men Only: When reaching the green lights, men should jog briskly with short strides until the second set of green lights ends.
- Women: Must walk at their normal pace throughout the entire Sa'i corridor without jogging.
Step 4: Reach Marwah and Make Dua
When you reach the hill of Marwah:
- Face the Qiblah direction.
- Raise hands in Dua, declare Allah's greatness, and make supplications.
- This completes LAP 1!
Step 5: Complete 7 Laps Total
[!IMPORTANT] Understanding Lap Counting Walking from Safa to Marwah counts as 1 lap. Walking back from Marwah to Safa counts as Lap 2. You do NOT complete 7 round-trips; you complete 7 single directional laps, finishing at Marwah!
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LAP 1: Safa ─────► Marwah LAP 2: Marwah ───► Safa LAP 3: Safa ─────► Marwah LAP 4: Marwah ───► Safa LAP 5: Safa ─────► Marwah LAP 6: Marwah ───► Safa LAP 7: Safa ─────► Marwah (FINISH AT MARWAH!)
Step 6: Offer 2 Nafl Rak'ahs
Upon finishing the 7th lap at Marwah:
- Move slightly aside out of the walkway and offer 2 Nafl Rak'ahs of Sa'i.
Summary Checklist for Sa'i
[ ] Complete 7 rounds of Tawaf first [ ] Begin Sa'i at Mount Safa [ ] Face Qiblah and make sincere Dua at Safa [ ] Men jog briskly between the green overhead lights [ ] Finish the 7th lap at Mount Marwah [ ] Pray 2 Nafl Rak'ahs after completing Sa'i
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an elderly or sick pilgrim use a wheelchair for Sa'i?
Yes! Elderly, disabled, or sick pilgrims are fully permitted to perform Sa'i using electric scooters or wheelchairs provided on the upper floors of the Mas'a corridor.
What if I lose track of how many laps I completed?
If you become confused between 5 or 6 laps, base your count on the lower number (5) and complete 2 more laps to be certain.
How does Salah Live assist pilgrims during Sa'i?
Salah Live features digital Sa'i lap counter tools and authentic Dua references helping pilgrims keep track of their laps effortlessly.
This guide is authored for Salah Live based on official Dawat-e-Islami literature published in Rafiq-ul-Haramayn and Method of Umrah.
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Find accurate Azan timings, Friday Jummah schedules, and verified local masjids near you on Salah Live.