Overview
Safa and Marwa are two small hills, now enclosed within a long multi-level gallery (the Mas’a) attached to Masjid al-Haram. Walking seven times between them — the sa’i — is a rite of Umrah and Hajj.
Significance
The Qur’an states: “Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Qur’an 2:158). The sa’i recalls Hajar running between the two hills in search of water for her son Ismail, before the water of Zamzam appeared, as described in Sahih al-Bukhari.
History
For centuries the course between the hills was an open street lined with shops. It was enclosed and incorporated into the mosque during the 20th-century Saudi expansions, and widened again in later projects.
Map
Visiting information
Sa'i starts at Safa and ends at Marwa (seven lengths). Green-lit sections mark where men traditionally hasten. Wheelchair lanes and upper floors are available.
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Book a Ziyarat tour Ask on WhatsAppSources & references
- Qur'an 2:158 — https://quran.com/2/158
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3364 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3364
Historical reports sometimes differ; where they do, this page notes it. Please consult qualified scholars for religious rulings. Visiting rules and opening times are set by the Saudi authorities and may change.