The Significance of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah

By Shanzeh Malik, Director of Design

Let’s begin by understanding what Sa’i is and the history behind it. Sa’i means “to walk.” This “walk” is to take place between Safa and Marwah seven times specifically. Now that we know the definition of Sa’i, what is the history behind this act? By walking seven times around the mountains, we are essentially replicating what Hajar had to do. Hajar was Ibrahim’s (AS) second wife and was Sarah’s, Ibrahim’s (AS) first wife’s, slave. Sarah was unable to have children with Ibrahim (AS) so she gave permission for Hajar and Ibrahim (AS) to have one instead. Hajar had a son with Ibrahim (AS) and named him Ismail (AS). Sarah became jealous of Hajar and Allah (SWT) told Ibrahim (AS) to bring Hajar and Ismail (AS) to a desert.

Hajar was not compliant at first to be left in a desert alone with Ismail (AS) with limited water that Ibrahim (AS) gave her, but eventually complied when she found out that it was an order from Allah (SWT) for Ibrahim (AS). Hajar’s water eventually ran out and she began searching for some between Safa and Marwah, the two mountains in the valley she was between. She frantically ran between the mountains a total of seven times in search of water because Ismail (AS) was on the brink of death. Hajar heard a sound from the direction that she left Ismail (AS) in and saw angel Jibril (AS) scratching the ground with his heel or wing and water began to flow out. She built a well around it which is now the Zamzam well.

Now Hajar had more than enough water for her and her son because of the spring. The water supply eventually attracted birds, bugs, animals, and the Jurhum tribe. And the development of Makkah began.

In the modern-day and generation, how does this relate to us and why do we have to do the same as Hajar once did? The significance behind mimicking Hajar’s struggle is to realize our own struggle that we face in our lives just like Hajar did. It gives pilgrims a chance to understand how much we need and should trust Allah (SWT). May Allah (SWT) grant us the journey of Hajj and/or Umrah and let us replicate what Hajar once did.

Sources

Says:, A., & Says:, A. (2020, May 12). Safa Marwa and Sa'i. Retrieved October 26, 2020,

from https://hajjumrahplanner.com/safa-marwa/

Sarah And Hajjar. (2019, May 06). Retrieved October 26, 2020, from

http://islamichistorypodcast.com/sarah-and-hajjar/