How to Perform Sa'i Step by Step: Safa to Marwah

What is Sa'i?

Sa'i means walking 7 rounds between the hills of Safa and Marwah. It honours Hajar (AS), who ran between these hills searching for water for her infant son Ismail (AS). The Quran says: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ, "Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah" (Al Baqarah 158). In the Hanafi school, Sa'i is wajib in both Umrah and Hajj.

When is Sa'i performed?

Sa'i always comes after Tawaf. Complete the 7 rounds of Tawaf and the 2 rakat, drink Zamzam, then head to Safa. Touching or pointing to the Black Stone before Sa'i is sunnah; in crowds, a gesture from a distance is enough.

How do you perform Sa'i step by step?

1. Begin at Safa: face the Qiblah, raise your hands as in dua, say Allahu Akbar and La ilaha illallah, and make dua from the heart.
2. Walk to Marwah: walk at a normal pace towards Marwah.
3. The green lights: between the two green markers, men jog lightly while women keep walking normally.
4. Dua at Marwah: at Marwah, face the Qiblah and make dua. That completes round 1.
5. Return: walking back from Marwah to Safa is round 2. Continue the same way for 7 rounds.
6. Finish: the seventh round ends at Marwah. Men then shave or shorten their hair, and women trim a little from the ends. Your Umrah is complete.

What are the most common Sa'i mistakes?

1. Counting Safa to Marwah and back to Safa as 1 round. Each one way trip is a separate round, so you walk 7 legs, not 14.
2. Women jogging between the green lights. This sunnah is for men only.
3. Finishing at Safa. The seventh round always ends at Marwah.
4. Raising the hands to the ears like the opening takbir of salah at Safa and Marwah. Raise them as in dua.
5. Losing count. Carry a finger tasbih or a small counter.

Do you need wudu for Sa'i?

Wudu is recommended, not required. If your wudu breaks during Sa'i, you may continue. For questions specific to women's circumstances, please ask a qualified scholar.

What if you get tired?

Safa and Marwah are roughly 450 metres apart, so the 7 rounds add up to more than 3 kilometres. You may stop, rest and drink water between rounds, and Zamzam is available along the way. With an excuse such as illness or old age, Sa'i in a wheelchair is valid.

Which dua should you read during Sa'i?

No specific dua is required. It is sunnah to recite إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ when you first approach Safa. The rest of the time, make dua in your own language, remember Allah and send salawat.

Step by step training, a Sa'i counter and the full Umrah guide are on nidaulkhaleel.com. May Allah accept your Umrah.

For detailed rulings, please consult a qualified scholar.