Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah: How to Perform It

Sa’i is the walk of seven legs between the hills of Safa and Marwah, performed after Tawaf. You start at Safa and finish at Marwah. Allah says, “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (2:158), and the rite recalls Hajar, the mother of Isma‘il, who ran between the two hills searching for water for her son until the spring of Zamzam appeared (Sahih al-Bukhari 3364).

Sa’i in brief

• When: after Tawaf, the two units of prayer and Zamzam
• Where: the Mas‘a, an enclosed, air-conditioned gallery on the eastern side of Masjid al-Haram, with several floors
• How many: seven legs, ending at Marwah
• Distance: roughly 400 to 450 meters per leg, about three kilometers in all
• Time: often 45 to 90 minutes
• Purity: wudu recommended, not required, in the majority view

How to perform Sa’i, step by step

1. Go to Safa. Follow the signs from the mataf. Many pilgrims touch the Black Stone line again on the way out, following Jabir’s account (Sahih Muslim 1218).
2. Recite at Safa. As you approach, recite “Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha‘a’irillah” and, as narrated, “I begin with what Allah began with.” This is said at the start only.
3. Face the Kaaba from the hill, say “Allahu Akbar” and declare Allah’s oneness, then raise your hands and make dua. Jabir describes the Prophet ﷺ doing this three times.
4. Walk toward Marwah. Between the two sets of green lights, men hasten their pace if able; women walk normally.
5. At Marwah, face the direction of the Kaaba and make dua as at Safa. That is the first leg.
6. Return to Safa for the second leg, and continue. Legs 1, 3, 5 and 7 go toward Marwah; legs 2, 4 and 6 return to Safa.
7. Finish at Marwah after the seventh leg, then go for halq or taqsir.

Counting the legs

A simple rule: if you are walking toward Marwah, you are on an odd-numbered leg. If you lose count, build on the number you are sure of.

Floors, lanes and accessibility

• Ground floor: closest to the original hills, where the rock of Safa and Marwah is visible behind glass
• Upper floors and roof: often less crowded; the roof is exposed to the sun in the daytime
• Accessible lanes: a separated lane for wheelchairs and carts runs along the Mas‘a
• Carts: the Pilgrim Experience Program describes manual carts throughout the mosque and electric carts bookable electronically at peak times. Availability depends on crowds and is never guaranteed.

Restrooms and wudu areas are near both ends, and Zamzam dispensers line the route. The Ministry’s Umrah guide marks the Mas‘a route, wheelchair points and the hair-cutting centers near the Marwah gate.

Where scholars differ

• Ruling: most schools count Sa’i as a pillar of Umrah; the Hanafi school counts it as required (wajib). This matters mainly if a leg is missed.
• Continuity: scholars differ on how long a break may be.
• Sequence: Sa’i follows a valid Tawaf in mainstream practice; ask a scholar if you performed them out of order.

After Sa’i

Men shave or trim the whole head; women trim about a fingertip’s length. Barbers and the official hair-cutting centers are near the Marwah exit, and women can trim privately at the hotel. Your Umrah is then complete. See the full sequence in How to perform Umrah.

Common mistakes during Sa’i

The meaning behind the walk

In the account in Sahih al-Bukhari 3364, Hajar climbed Safa to look for help, crossed the valley to Marwah, and repeated the search seven times before the angel revealed the water of Zamzam. The Prophet ﷺ said that this is why people walk between them. Many pilgrims reflect on her trust in Allah and her effort as they walk, and make dua for their own families.

Sa’i with children and older relatives

The Mas‘a is long but level and air-conditioned, which makes it easier than Tawaf for many families. Let older relatives use a wheelchair from the start rather than halfway through, and give young children a role, such as counting the legs. Our guide to Umrah with children has more ideas.

Practical tips

• Carry a small water bottle and refill it with Zamzam
• Wear socks or broken-in sandals; the marble is smooth and the distance adds up after Tawaf
• Agree with family on a meeting point at Marwah, the shared finish line
• If you are tired after Tawaf, rest before starting, provided your break is short. Our Umrah day planner suggests timings.

This guide describes mainstream practice with references to the Qur’an, hadith collections and official Saudi guidance. Details differ between schools of thought, and it is not a religious ruling. For questions about your own situation, please ask a qualified scholar you trust.

Traveling with someone who will need a wheelchair for Sa’i? Tell us when you inquire and we will plan hotels, transfers and timing around it. Get your personalized quote or explore family packages and private packages.