Understanding the Significance of Sa’i in Hajj Pilgrimage

Hajj is an obligatory pilgrimage that Muslims perform in the month of Dhul Hijjah. Hajj is obligatory on physically and financially abled Muslims. Millions of Muslims across the globe visit Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj through private packages or their relevant country government schemes. Hajj is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and is done in the remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Ismail and Lady Hajar. Every ritual has a great significance and Islamic history. There are almost nineteen rituals of Hajj that you need to fulfill in order to complete it.

However, in this article, we will discuss the significance of Sa’i in Hajj.

What is the meaning of Sa’i?

The meaning of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah is strive, pursue or walk. It is one of the important Hajj and Umrah rituals and is performed after the Tawaf. It includes the walk on the hills of Safa and Marwah that are adjacent to the Holy Kaabah.

What is the history of Sa’i?

Sa’i Hajj ritual is done in the honor of lady Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim and mother of Prophet Ismail. She walked between these hills back and forth seven times in search of water when Prophet Ismail was a baby and was crying with thirst.

It happened when Prophet Ibrahim left them under a tree with Allah’s command. Lady Hajar was initially afraid but as soon as she learned that she was there due to Allah’s orders, she calmed down and knew Allah is with her.

It is when she ran out of milk for her baby and she needed something for her baby to drink. Therefore, she desperately ran between the two hills to get a better view of the area and hoped that she might find something or someone who could help her.

She ran seven times between the hills and every time she checked on her son too, when after seven times she saw water erupting from the ground. She then drank the water herself and fed her baby too.

Due to the availability of water birds were also attracted to that deserted place and a group of travelers also arrived in search of water. With the permission of Hajar, they also used the water. Later, this group settled and populated in this area and later it was known as Makkah al Mukarmah.

What is the importance of Sa’i in Pilgrimage?

Sa’i is an important ritual of Hajj and Hajj will not be valid without it.

Moreover, Sa’i reflects the struggles of life, how everyone is in constant pursue of money, status and worldly needs.

One of the things that Sa’i teaches us is Tawakkal. How Hajar did not lose hope and desperately ran between the hills in search of water.

It has a great spiritual significance as it is a great source of building connection with the Almighty.

Furthermore, it also fosters the sense of unity and brotherhood.

How to perform Sa’i during Hajj?

Sa’i is performed in the state of Ihram when the pilgrim enters the Makkah. After tawaf, it is the second ritual.

Sa’i begins by climbing the hill of Safa, then descending and going towards Marwah. Then there are two green pillars where men have to run and women should walk.

From Safa to Marwa one round of Sa’i is completed. Then from Marwa to Safa the second round will be completed and so seven rounds will be done in this arrangement.

Sa’i is performed after Tawaf:

• During Umrah, Sa’i is performed after Tawaf-al-Umrah.
• Sa’i during Hajjhas two conditions:
• During Hajj al Tamattu, Hajj is performed twice, one after Tawaf al Umrah the other after Tawaf al Ziyarah.
• During Hajj al Qiran and Hajj al Ifrad, Sa’i is performed after Tawaf al Qudum or Tawaf al Ziyarah.
• According to Hanafis, during Hajj al Qiran, the pilgrim must perform the Sa’i twice: once after Tawaf al Umrah and other after Tawaf al Qudum or Tawaf al Ziyarah.

Sa’i in Hajj represents the value of faith, devotion, preservance and faith in Allah and it connects the pilgrim with the story of Hajar and Prophet Ismail.