5. GOING BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA (SA’Y)
GOING BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA (SA’Y)
Then it is recommended to exit through the Safa door of al-Masjid al-Haram if one wishes to go between Safa and Marwa immediately. (It is necessary for the validity of going between Safa and Marwa (for hajj) prior to the Day of ‘Arafa that one do so after one’s arrival circumambulation (tawaf al-qudum) (though one may not do so on an ‘umra first (tamattu’) hajj, for which the initial circumambulation and going between Safa and Marwa are part of one’s ‘umra, nor do so after a supererogatory or farewell circumambulation.) One may postpone it until after the going-forth circumambulation (tawaf al-ifada) (which is superior).
HOW TO GO BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA
One begins from Safa. It is recommended:
1. for men (not women) to climb upon Safa the height of a person, so that one can see the Kaaba through the mosque’s door, and to face the Kaaba;
2. to say: “La ilaha ilia Llah, Allahu akbar;’ and “There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. His is the dominion, His the praise, He gives life and causes to die, all good is in His hand, and He has power over everything. There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. He kept His promise, give His slave the victory, and routed the Confederates alone. There is no god but Allah. We worship none but Him, making our religion sincerely for Him, though unbelievers be averse”;
3. to supplicate for whatever one wishes (which is called for here because it is one of the places where prayers are answered. ‘Umar (Allah be well pleased with him) used to supplicate lengthily here);
4. and to repeat (2) and (3) a second and third time.
Then one descends from Safa and walks (towards Marwa) at one’s normal pace until within three meters of the first green marker suspended from the left wall. Here one runs (women walk) until midway to the second green marker, at which midpoint one resumes one’s usual pace until one reaches Marwa. One climbs Marwa and says the same invocation as was said at Safa. This is once. Then one descends from Marwa and returns, walking and running at the proper places, until one reaches Safa. This is twice. At Safa one says the same invocation and supplication, and then goes back to Marwa, which is three times. One repeats the process until one has completed seven times, finishing at Marwa.
THE OBLIGATORY ELEMENTS OF GOING BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA
The obligatory elements (i.e. conditions for the validity) of going between Safa and Marwa are four:
a) to begin at Safa. If one begins at Marwa and walks to Safa, this does not count and one’s going between them is not considered to have begun until one reaches Safa;
b) to traverse the entire distance. It would be invalid if one neglected even a single span or less of the distance. One must begin by putting one’s heel against the wall at Safa, and finish at Marwa by putting the toes against the wall there (the course has now been enlarged and paved so that one’s going between them is complete without having to reach the walls that are currently there. Rather, between the two sides of the paved track (the lan’es for going and coming) there is a smaller track for wheelchair patients, and the ends of this smaller track currently represent the minimal distance);
c) to complete seven times: from Safa to Marwa equals one, from Marwa to Safa is another one, and so on, as mentioned above. If doubts arise while going between them as to how many times it has been-or while circumambulating the Kaaba. how many rounds have been done-then one assumes one has done the least number one is sure of and completes the rest (though if the doubts arise after finishing, one netted not do anything);
d) and that going between Safa and Marwa take place after the going-forth circumambulation (tawaf al-ifada) or else after one’s arrival circumambulation, provided that standing at ‘Arafa does not intervene between the arrival circumambulation and going between Safa and Marwa.
THE SUNNAS OF GOING BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA
The sunnas of going between Safa and Marwa are those previously mentioned, to have ablution (wudu), that one’s nakedness be clothed, and to say while between Safa and Marwa: “My Lord, forgive, show mercy, and overlook that which You know. Verily You are the Most Powerful and Generous. O Allah, our Lord, give us what is good in this world and the next, and protect us from the torment of hell. ” If one recites the Koran (while going between them) it is better (than anything besides the invocations that have reached us in hadith (i.e. the above), which are better here than reciting the Koran).
It is not recommended to repeat going between Safa and Marwa.
(Source: The reliance of the traveller, revised edition, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller)
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