Sa'i
Walking between Safa and Marwah, commemorating Hajar's search for water.
About Sa'i
Sa'i is the ritual of walking (or running) seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This commemorates the desperate search of Hajar (the mother of Ishmael) for water to sustain her thirsty infant. When she reached the area between the two hills, Angel Jibril struck the ground, and the Zamzam well sprang forth.
Important Note
Sa'i consists of 7 trips: Safa to Marwah counts as 1, Marwah to Safa counts as 2, and so on. You end at Marwah. Men should walk briskly in the middle section between the green lights.
Location
Masjid al-Haram - Safa and Marwah
Within Masjid al-Haram, Mecca 24231, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates: 21.3913N 39.8601E
Distance between Safa and Marwah: approximately 450 meters
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start at Safa with Intention
Begin Sa'i at Safa, facing the Ka'bah if possible. Make the intention verbally.
Arabic
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration
Innas-safa wal-marwata min sha'airullah
English Translation
Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah
Tip:
Climb Safa hill slightly and face the Ka'bah. Say "Allahu Akbar" and make your intention clear in your heart.
Walk briskly in the middle section
Between the green lights, men should walk briskly (harwala) to emulate the urgency of Hajar's search.
Arabic
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirah hasanatan wa qina 'adzaban-nar
English Translation
Our Lord, give us in this world good and in the next world good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire
Harwala (Walking Briskly):
Men should quicken pace between the green lights. Women should walk at normal pace throughout.
Arrive at Marwah
Complete the first trip by reaching Marwah. This counts as trip #1. Continue to alternate between the hills.
Arabic
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration
Rabbi ighfir warham wa anta khayrur-rahimeen
English Translation
My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of those who show mercy
Complete 7 Trips
Continue alternating between Safa and Marwah until you have completed 7 trips. You should end at Marwah.
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as-alukal-rafwa wal-afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah
English Translation
O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the next
Trip Count:
Trip 1: Safa to Marwah | Trip 2: Marwah to Safa | Trip 3: Safa to Marwah | Trip 4: Marwah to Safa | Trip 5: Safa to Marwah | Trip 6: Marwah to Safa | Trip 7: Safa to Marwah (END)
Make Du'a After Completing Sa'i
Upon completing the 7th trip at Marwah, make heartfelt supplication. This is an auspicious time for dua.
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي وَاغْفِرْ خَطَايَايَ وَارْحَمْنِي
Transliteration
Allahumma taqabbal minni waghfir khatayaya warhamni
English Translation
O Allah, accept from me, forgive my sins, and have mercy on me
Drink Zamzam
After completing Sa'i, it is recommended to drink from the Zamzam well. Make dua while drinking.
Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Transliteration
Bismillahi, Allahumma inni as-aluka 'ilman nafi'an wa rizqan wasi'an wa shifa'an min kulli dain
English Translation
In the name of Allah. O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, ample sustenance, and healing from every illness
Proceed to Halq/Taqsir
With Sa'i complete, you may now exit Ihram by shaving or trimming your hair (Halq/Taqsir). This marks the completion of Umrah.
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي حَقَّ قَبُولِ
Transliteration
Allahumma taqabbal minni haqqa taqbul
English Translation
O Allah, accept from me as is fitting for acceptance
Du'as to Recite During Sa'i
These supplications are recommended but not obligatory. You may also make personal du'a in any language — sincerity is what matters most.
Upon Mounting Safa — Facing the Ka'bah
Climb Safa, face the Ka'bah, raise your hands, and recite:
Arabic
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Transliteration
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdah, anjaza wa'dah, wa nasara 'abdah, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah.
English Translation
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over all things. There is no deity but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.
Recite this three times, making personal du'a between each recitation.
While Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Recite this du'a repeatedly as you walk between the two hills:
Arabic
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الأَعَزُّ الأَكْرَمُ
Transliteration
Rabbi ighfir warham, innaka Antal-a'azzul-akram.
English Translation
My Lord, forgive and have mercy. Indeed, You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
Between the Green Lights (Harwala section)
Men should walk briskly here and recite:
Arabic
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، وَتَجَاوَزْ عَمَّا تَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الأَعَزُّ الأَكْرَمُ
Transliteration
Rabbi ighfir warham, wa tajawaz 'amma ta'lam, innaka Antal-a'azzul-akram.
English Translation
My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and overlook what You know. Indeed, You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
The Comprehensive Du'a — Recommended Throughout Sa'i
This beautiful supplication can be recited at any point during Sa'i:
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّارِ
Transliteration
Allahumma inni as-aluka ridaka wal-jannah, wa a'udhu bika min sakhatika wan-nar.
English Translation
O Allah, I ask You for Your pleasure and Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from Your displeasure and the Fire.
Upon Reaching Marwah
When you reach Marwah, face the Ka'bah (or the direction of Safa), raise your hands, and repeat the same du'a recited at Safa:
Arabic
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ... رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah... Rabbi ighfir warham, wa Anta khayrur-rahimeen.
English Translation
Allah is the Greatest (x3). There is no deity but Allah alone... My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of those who show mercy.
Make personal du'a after this — any sincere supplication in any language is accepted here.
Important Reminder
There are no compulsory du'as assigned to each step of Sa'i. You may praise Allah, send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ, recite Qur'anic du'as, or make personal supplications in any language. Sincerity of the heart is what Allah looks at.