Safa and Marwa are two mountains that have been there since the time of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and are of great significance. The practice of Sa’ee takes place between these mountains, and this is an important ritual that neither Hajj nor Umrah can be completed without. These mountains are a reminder of the story of Hajr’s struggle, the wife of Hazrat Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).
She ran from Mount Safa to Mount Marwah in search of water for Hazrat Ibrahim when he was a baby, and they were left alone in the desert. It was in the middle of these mountains that the well of zam zam sprouted by the miracle of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Dua for When at Mount Safah and Mount Marwah is made facing the Kaaba, and pilgrims recite prayers as they climb these mountains in remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Hajj & Umrah Duas
'Innas-Safaa wal-Marwata min sha'aa'irillaah. 'Abda'u bimaa bada'allaahu bihi.(1)Allaahu 'Akbar.(2)Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer, laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu ilahaahu, 'anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal 'ahzaaba wahdahu.(3)
Whenever the Prophet (SAW) approached Mount Safa, he would recite: "Surely Safa and Marwah are among the signs of Allah. I begin by that which Allah began".(1) Then he began (his Sa'y) at Mount Safa climbing it until he could see the House (Kaaba). He then faced the Qiblah repeating the words: "Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great".(2) Then he said: "None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things. None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, He fulfilled His Promise, He aided His slave, and He alone defeated Confederates".(3) Then he would ask Allah for what he liked, repeating the same thing like this Three times. He did at Mount Marwah as he did at Mount Safa.
According to the practice of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), He began Sa’ee from climbing Mount Safa until the Kaaba could be seen. He would then face the Qiblah and make supplications thrice, and he did the same when he reached Mount Marwah [Hisn al-Muslim 236].
However, make sure that when you are fulfilling the practice of Sa’ee, you are constantly praying in abundance and are mindful of others by not pushing them around. Do it at your own pace rather than trying to rush through.
The practice of performing Sa’ee instills in one patience and resilience in one to follow the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as well as their life in general. Making dua when at Mount Safa and Mount Marwah softens one’s heart to the struggle and commitment of Hajr and offers one a moment of reflection and introspection.
It also helps build people's tolerance as this practice is often crowded with people. Reciting supplications at both of these mountains can serve as a source of seeking guidance and strength to be steadfast in righteousness.
Sa’ee is performed between Safa and Marwah, in which one should jog and walk and not run.
The Sa’ee between Mount Safa and Marwah and its seven rounds back and forth.