Sa'i Between Safa & Marwah
Sa'i Guide
Walking between Safa and Marwah the correct way — where to start, how to count, and the Sunnah duas.
Between Safa and Marwah
What Sa'i Is
Sa'i is walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, recalling Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail. It begins at Safa and ends at Marwah, and follows a valid Tawaf.
Climb (or face) Safa, recite Inna-s-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah, then face the Qiblah, raise your hands and say the takbir and du'a — a Sunnah supplication here is Laa ilaaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in qadeer — repeated three times with personal du'a in between.
Walk towards Marwah. Men jog briskly between the two green markers (this stretch was once a valley bed); women walk normally throughout. Safa to Marwah counts as one trip; Marwah to Safa is the second, and so on until the seventh trip ends at Marwah.
Key Points
Getting Sa'i Right
Start at Safa
Sa'i always begins at Safa. Starting at Marwah invalidates the count.
Seven Trips
Each single crossing is one trip. Seven trips end at Marwah, not Safa.
After Tawaf
Sa'i must come after a valid Tawaf; it cannot be done on its own for Umrah.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Wudu is recommended but not a strict condition for Sa'i, unlike Tawaf. A woman who becomes pure after Tawaf may complete Sa'i even without renewing wudu, though staying in wudu is better.
Yes. You may pause to rest or drink Zamzam and then continue from where you stopped. Wheelchairs and the upper Sa'i level are available for the elderly and unwell.
Each trip between Safa and Marwah is roughly 450 metres, so seven trips total around 3.1 km. Allow extra time at busy periods.
Related Umrah planning: For better planning, compare Umrah packing list, review first-time Umrah guide, check Umrah packages from Pakistan, and read current Umrah costs in Pakistan before confirming your booking.
Ready to Plan Your Umrah?
Send your travel month, number of pilgrims and preferred hotel category for a confirmed quote.