Following Tawaf, pilgrims embark on Sa’i — the ritual of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating one of the most powerful stories of faith in Islamic history: the journey of Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), and her search for water for her infant son Ismail (AS).
At its heart, Sa’i is a sacred symbol of struggle, faith, and divine providence. It tells us that every step we take in trust of Allah is never wasted.
The Story Behind Sa’i: A Mother’s Desperation
The ritual of Sa’i originates from a deeply human moment. Alone in the barren desert of Makkah, with no water or food, Hajar searched desperately for sustenance. Her baby cried in hunger. With complete reliance on Allah, she ran between the two hills, Safa and Marwah, seven times — hoping, praying, trusting.
READ MORE: Hajj and Umrah: Part 2 – Ihram: The Garment of Humility and Equality
This act — full of pain, love, hope, and surrender — moved Allah so much that He sent Jibreel (AS) to strike the earth, and Zamzam sprang forth, flowing to this day as a miraculous gift to the world.
Lessons from Sa’i: Walking in Faith
Struggle is part of faith
Hajar didn’t sit and wait. She ran. She tried. She exhausted her options. Islam teaches us to make effort, and then put our trust in Allah.Faith is active, not passive
Hajar’s running wasn’t a lack of faith — it was an expression of it. She believed help would come but did not know from where. This is true tawakkul: doing your part while leaving the outcome to Allah.“…Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. Verily, Allah loves those who rely [on Him].”
— Surah Aal-Imran (3:159)Allah honors sincerity and effort
The Sa’i ritual is not based on a prophet’s journey, but a mother’s. Allah enshrined Hajar’s search in the Hajj forever, giving dignity to every parent, every caregiver, every struggler.Hope must never die
With each trip between the hills, Hajar hoped something would change. Even when nothing did, she kept going. That’s the definition of faith.- Advertisement -
Safa and Marwah in the Qur’an
Allah mentions Safa and Marwah specifically in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no blame upon him for walking between them…”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:158)
The phrase “symbols of Allah” (sha’a’ir Allah) shows that this struggle is not just historical — it’s sacred. Our struggles, too, can become sacred when they’re tied to trust in Allah.
Seven Times: Why Repetition Matters
Why do we go seven times? Isn’t once enough?
Each round in Sa’i reflects:
A new effort
A fresh surrender
The repetition symbolizes that life’s struggles often require persistence. Not every door opens at the first knock. But with patience and prayer, the doors of mercy open — just like the well of Zamzam did.
Zamzam: The Answer From the Unseen
When Hajar stopped running, not out of hopelessness but exhaustion, Allah sent the miracle: Zamzam, flowing beneath her son’s feet.
This tells us:
The relief we seek might come from where we least expect it
Allah is always watching
No sincere effort goes unnoticed
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make a way out for him. And will provide for him from where he does not expect…”
— Surah At-Talaq (65:2-3)
Sa’i in Our Lives Today
We may not run between two hills, but we walk between the “Safa” and “Marwah” of our personal struggles every day — between uncertainty and hope, fear and faith, exhaustion and perseverance.
A single mother raising her child
A student striving to pass
A person battling illness
A worker trying to make ends meet
Sa’i reminds us: keep walking, keep praying, keep trusting.
The Role of Women in Islam’s Foundation
Sa’i is a shining testimony to the role of women in Islamic tradition. Hajar’s story is not a side note — it is embedded in Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Her resilience is commemorated by millions every year.
Islam does not relegate women to the background — it raises their efforts as examples for the world.
Conclusion: Every Step Counts
Sa’i is not just a reenactment — it’s a lesson in motion. Every believer walks it with their own worries, needs, and dreams. But the message remains the same:
Strive. Trust. Repeat.
Allah sees you. Allah will provide.
Coming Up in Part 5: “The Day of Arafah – Standing Before Allah”
In the next part of our series, we will stand on the plains of Arafah, the greatest day of Hajj and the day when sins are forgiven like no other — a glimpse into what it means to stand before Allah in complete humility and accountability.
Author: Islam Religion Guardian Columnist
Published by: IslamReligionGuardian.com