Safa and Marwa: The Story of Hajar and the Sa’i, Explained for Families

Quick answer: Safa and Marwa are two small hills, now inside the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. Pilgrims walk between them seven times during Umrah and Hajj, a rite called sa‘i. It remembers Hajar, the mother of Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them), who ran between the two hills searching for water for her baby until Allah brought forth the spring of Zamzam. The Quran calls Safa and Marwa among the symbols of Allah. For families, the story is a beautiful lesson in trust, effort and Allah’s care.

Written by Quran Specialist Online (QSO). For the rulings of sa‘i, please follow a qualified scholar or your group’s guide.

Safa and Marwa in the Quran

۞ إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

“Indeed, aṣ-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allāh. So whoever makes ḥajj [pilgrimage] to the House or performs ʿumrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allāh is Appreciative and Knowing.” (Quran 2:158)

Arabic and translation: Quran.com, Sahih International.

This verse appears in Surah Al-Baqarah, the second surah of the Quran. Our 30-day Al-Baqarah reading plan includes it.

The story of Hajar

The full story is recorded in a long narration in Sahih al-Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari) (Sahih al-Bukhari 3364). Here is a short retelling in our own words for families.

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), by Allah’s command, brought his wife Hajar and their baby son Ismail to a dry, empty valley where Makkah stands today. There was no one living there and no water. He left them with a little food and water. Hajar asked whether Allah had commanded this, and when she understood that He had, she said she trusted that Allah would not abandon them.

When the water ran out, Ismail began to cry with thirst. Hajar climbed the nearest hill, Safa, to look for help or water. Seeing nothing, she hurried across the valley to the opposite hill, Marwa, and looked again. She went back and forth seven times.

Then she heard a sound. An angel had come, and water burst from the ground near Ismail: the spring of Zamzam. Hajar gathered the water around it. Later, travellers came and settled there, and the valley became a place of life. The narration in Sahih al-Bukhari connects the sa‘i pilgrims perform today to Hajar’s walking between the hills.

Lessons for children

• Trust in Allah. Hajar trusted Allah even in an empty desert.
• Effort and trust go together. She did not just wait; she searched and worked hard, and Allah provided.
• Mothers are honoured. Millions of people every year walk in the footsteps of a mother caring for her child.
• Allah never forgets us. Help can come in ways we do not expect.

A lesson for everyday family life

You do not need to be in Makkah to learn from Safa and Marwa. Hajar’s story speaks to ordinary family life: the worry of a parent for a child, the feeling of searching without seeing an answer, and the relief when help arrives. When your child is struggling with something hard, whether a difficult Qaida page, a new school or a friendship, you can remind them of Hajar. She kept going, round after round, and kept trusting Allah. Effort is our part; the result is from Allah. Many parents find this a gentle way to talk about patience and dua without lecturing.

How sa‘i is performed

Here is a simple outline. The details, and what to do in special situations, should be learned from a scholar:

1. Usually after tawaf, pilgrims go to Safa.
2. At Safa, they face the direction of the Ka‘bah, remember Allah and make dua.
3. They walk to Marwa. That is one round.
4. Walking back to Safa is the second round, and so on.
5. The seventh round ends at Marwa.

Along the way, there is a section marked by green lights where men are encouraged to move at a brisk pace, while women walk normally. Pilgrims make dua and remember Allah throughout, in any language. There is no single fixed dua for each round.

What it is like today

The hills are now enclosed within the Sacred Mosque, in a long air-conditioned gallery with several levels. Small parts of the original rock of Safa and Marwa can still be seen. The total walk for seven rounds is a few kilometres, so comfortable footwear and steady pacing matter, especially with children. Wheelchair routes are available for those who need them.

Preparing children for sa‘i

• Tell Hajar’s story several times before the journey so children recognise it when they are there.
• Practise at home. Walk seven times between two rooms or two trees in the park, counting rounds together.
• Give children a counting job. A simple counter or seven beads to move helps them stay engaged and keeps the family on track.
• Bring water. Talk about Zamzam and why it is special.
• Plan breaks. It is fine to rest between rounds when needed.

Learning before you go

Families who know the verse about Safa and Marwa, the talbiyah and a few duas often find sa‘i more meaningful. Children who have heard Hajar’s story many times feel a real connection walking where she walked. Read our guides on what Umrah is and ihram rules to prepare.

Quran Specialist Online does not arrange travel. We help families prepare for the worship itself, with live one-to-one 30-minute Quran lessons on Zoom or MS Teams, taught in English. Female teachers are available, and parents can sit in on children’s lessons. Plans start from £30 a month in the UK and $35 a month in the USA, with a 10% family discount. See the fee page.

Frequently asked questions

How many rounds are there in sa‘i?
Seven, starting at Safa and finishing at Marwa.

Is there a special dua for each round?
There is no fixed dua for each round. Pilgrims remember Allah and make their own duas.

Can children do sa‘i?
Yes. Ask a scholar how the rules apply to young children, and plan rests.

What is Zamzam?
The spring that Allah brought forth for Hajar and Ismail, still flowing today.

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