Sa'ee

The search of Hajar

According to Islamic tradition, the prophet Ibrahim brought his wife Hajar and their baby Ismail to an uninhabited valley under divine instruction. After their supplies ran out, Hajar sought water for her thirsty child. Leaving Ismail on the ground, she climbed Safa to scan the horizon. Seeing nobody, she crossed the valley to Mount Marwa to look again. She moved at a normal pace on the slopes where her child was visible, but ran across the low ground where he was out of sight. After completing seven crossings, the angel Jibril arrived, and the freshwater spring of Zamzam miraculously emerged from the earth.

Hesitations and revelation

In the pre-Islamic era, local tribes had placed idols on the hills, which caused early Muslims to feel deep reluctance about walking between them. Figures such as Anas ibn Malik and early Ansar believers worried that crossing between Safa and Marwa was a remnant of pagan custom. Aisha confirmed that early followers feared the practice was sinful because of older associations with the idol Manat. These hesitations were resolved when Quranic verse 2:158 was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, establishing the journey between the two elevations as a blessed and valid rite of pilgrimage rather than an act of idolatry.

The modern Mas'aa

Originally located in the open air outside the mosque, the passage between the hills was formally integrated into Al-Masjid al-Haram during expansion works in the mid-1950s. Today, the space is an enclosed, climate-controlled corridor known as the Mas'aa. It spans roughly 450 metres between the reddish stone of Safa and the lighter stone of Marwa. The complete ritual covers around three kilometres. The modern structure features dedicated directional pathways to guide the flow of worshippers, alongside central lanes set aside specifically for elderly pilgrims and individuals with physical disabilities.

How Sa'ee is kept

Pilgrims begin the ritual at Mount Safa, situated southeast of the Ka'bah. They walk the full length of the corridor to Mount Marwa, which counts as the first lap of the journey. From Marwa, they return to Safa to complete the second lap, repeating this crossing until seven individual laps are finished at Marwa. Pilgrims walk steadily across the course, quickening their pace in specific sections of the valley. Along the route, water from the Zamzam Well is available to refresh travellers as they complete their devotional walk.

When and where

Sa'ee is observed during the major pilgrimage of Hajj, which occurs annually on set dates in the Islamic calendar, as well as during the minor pilgrimage of Umrah, which worshippers can undertake at any point throughout the year.

The rite takes place exclusively inside Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is conducted along the Mas'aa, a covered walkway that connects the historic hills of Safa and Marwa.

What Sa'ee means

The practice commemorates maternal devotion, resilience and trust in divine providence. By following the path of Hajar through the barren landscape, worshippers remember her determined search for water for her infant son. It represents an enduring tribute to divine mercy, recalling how sincere human effort and prayer were answered by the miraculous appearance of the Zamzam Well.

Days Sa'ee is marked

Questions people ask about Sa'ee

See also

IhramA sacred state and simple dress that Muslims enter for Hajj and UmrahDay of ArafahA holy day of prayer, repentance, and vigil on the second day of the Hajj pilgrimageUmrahA pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims may make at most times of year, unlike the HajjEid al-FitrThe feast that ends Ramadan, opened with morning prayers, sweets and visits home

Good reading and sources

• Safa and Marwa on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.