The Sacred Journey Between Safa and Marwa: A Story of Faith and Devotion in Umrah

Sa'i is a key ritual that the pilgrims of Umrah and Hajj perform as a ritual in between the Hills of Safa and Marwah. It is not just a ritual; it is a story of the faith of the mother for her son's thirst with Allah (S.W.T.).

In this blog, let's explore 'the story of the sacred hills of Safa and Marwa,' the significance of the Sa'i ritual, and the spiritual lessons we can learn from this journey.

The Historical Story Behind Safa and Marwa in Islam

The story of Safa and Marwa in Islam is a story of a woman Hajar (A.S.). She was alone in the desert but had desperate hope in the mercy of Allah (S.W.T.). Where there was no means of any sustenance, she ran in between the mountains of Safa and Marwah in search of water for her little one and prayed to Allah (S.W.T.) for sustenance.

She had put Ismail (A.S.) on the ground and ran to the nearest hill al Safa. She climbed to the top to look for any signs of a caravan or a water source. She didn't see any means of help. She didn't let that stop her; she ran down the hill and across the valley to Marwa.

Once more, she saw nothing. She ran back to Safa, then back to Marwa, her heart racing and her breath short. Seven times, this heartbreaking trip between the two hills happened.

When she was physically and spiritually drained, a miracle happened in her seventh run. A stream of water had come out of the sand when Ismail kicked the ground with his heel. His mother collected the water and said, "Zam Zam," which means "stop-stop." 

This was the water of Zamzam, a holy source of water that stopped by the order of Hajar (A.S.). It drew the Jurhum tribe to settle there, which laid the foundation of Makkah.

Who Were Hajar and Ismail? A Journey of Faith in the Desert

In Islam you will find 'Hajar' as a personality of faith and determination. She was the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and the mother of Prophet Ismail (A.S.). With her small kid, she lived in the desert of Arabia when there were no means of sustenance.

The existence of the present city of Makkah is the result of her patience and faith in God.

Ismail (A.S.) was a prophet and an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). His life with his mother in the desert was a 'journey of faith.

The Sa’i Ritual: Why Muslims Walk Between Safa and Marwa During Umrah

The rite of Sa’i, between Safa and Marwa, has got its significance from the act of walking of Hajar in search of water for her son. Allah loved this act of the mother’s faith and made it one of the rituals, ‘Sa’i,’ in Umrah and Hajj, to commemorate the act of Hajar walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah and recall her faith in only Allah. 

Thus every pilgrim of Makkah performs the act of the ritual of Sa’i in Umrah and Hajj.

To perform Sa'i, the pilgrims start to walk from the hill of Safa to Marwa for one round of 'Sa'i.' They keep going until they complete seven laps.

The whole path is now a long, air-conditioned hallway, which is very different from the harsh desert that Hajar walked through. But the spiritual intensity stays. As pilgrims walk, they think about how scared, hopeful, and ultimately victorious she was.

They feel Hajar's strong physical and spiritual connection. And think about their personal problems, pray, and call on God with the same honest feel of Hajar.

Quranic Reference to Safa and Marwa: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158 Explained

In this verse , Allah says that, “indeed, the hills of Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes the major or minor pilgrimage to the ˹Sacred˺ House, let them walk between ‘the two hills’. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is truly appreciative and all-knowing.”

Some of the early Muslims were hesitant to do Sa'i because the pagans before Islam had also worshiped the two hills. This verse from the Quran about Safa and Marwa was sent down to clear up a question that they had.

From this verse, we came to know that Safa and Marwa are holy symbols (sha‘a’ir) of God and that those who do Sa‘i between them are also worshipping to commemorate the act of Hajar. It changes the ritual from a simple reenactment of history to a religious act of devotion.

Spiritual Significance of Sa’i in Umrah and Hajj

The spiritual significance of Sa'i in Umrah and Hajj is not just a walk; it is the relationship between God and people.

The best illustration of tawakal, or reliance on God, is Hajar. She took action in response to her belief. In addition to doing everything she could, she had total faith in God. The Sa'i teaches us to work hard and give it our all to Allah.

• Never Give Up Hope: Despite all the odds, Hajar's run served as a tangible symbol of hope. She continued until the very end. She did not stop after the third or fourth lap. Pilgrims learn from the ritual to never give up on God's mercy.

• The Prize for Fighting: Zamzam's miraculous appearance was a direct result of Hajar's struggle. Here, we see that very difficult things bring ease in our lives.

Lessons from Safa and Marwa: Faith, Patience, and Perseverance

The Love of a Mother Is a Divine Mirror: This story emphasizes the significance of a mother. The dedication along with the affection of a mother is capable of doing anything, for instance, bringing water to arid areas.

Your Battle Is Holy: When it comes to pleasing God, no effort is wasted. Fear and love inspired Hajar's run, which is regarded as an act of belief and is also an act of patience in Islam.

Thus, the faith stories in Islam teach us Islamic life lessons that our best efforts may result in miracles, even when we feel alone and without hope in the desert of our lives. Patience in Islam reminds us that spiritual development comes from personal struggles.

FAQs

1. In Umrah, what does the Sa'i mean?

"Sa'i" means "to strive" or "to put in effort." It is the act of walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa. It recalls how hard Hajar ran to find water for her son Ismail, it has a very spiritual meaning. It represents a believer's unwavering pursuit of God, the necessity of never giving up, and the ideal harmony between human endeavor and total trust in God's plan.

2. Why do pilgrims need seven rounds for Sa'i?

The seven rounds for Sa'i are to remember Hajar (A.S.). She made seven trips between the hills of Safa and Marwah. It represents her unwavering and total effort, as she relied on God.

3. Is the Sa'i ritual only for women because it remembers a woman's struggle?

No, Sa'i is a ritual that is to be performed by all pilgrims of perform Hajj or Umrah. The spiritual significance of an action is not determined by gender.