Section 56 – The Sa'y Between Safa and Marwa
Hisham ibn Urwa, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from his father, who said: When I was still young, the Messenger of Allah's family mentioned to Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her: "Do you see the verse, 'Safā and Marwa are signs of Allāh?' (2:158)" The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I do not deem it obligatory for anyone to perform sa’y between Safa and Marwa.” Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, replied: "No, the matter is not as you say. If it were as you say, it would have been revealed in the meaning, 'There is no sin on those who do not perform sa'y between Safa and Marwa.'" This noble verse was revealed concerning some of the Ansar. They used to make talbiyah (proclamations) at the place of Manat, which was near Qudayd, during the time of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). Performing sa’y between Safa and Marwa became burdensome for them due to their reverence for Manat. After the light of Islam dawned, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, inquired about the ruling regarding performing sa'y between Safa and Marwa. Then Allāh, Most High, revealed the verse, 'Safā and Marwa are signs of Allāh.'"
EXPLANATION:
Shara’ (Signs): Refers to marks or indications that serve as a means to worship Allah.
Sa’y between Safa and Marwa is obligatory for ‘Umrah and Hajj. One who neglects it unintentionally completes it with sacrifice.
It is narrated by 'Abdullah ibn Abi Aufa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) performed 'Umra, circled the Ka'ba, and prayed two rak'ahs behind the Station of Abraham. There were those who guarded him against the disbelieving people. 'Abdullah ibn Abi Aufa was asked: Did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) enter the Ka'ba?
'Abdullah said: No, he did not.
From Abdullah ibn Abi Aufa, the preceding hadith is narrated, but with this addition: Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, arrived at Safa and Marwa. He went back and forth between Safa and Marwa seven times (performing sa’i), then he had his head shaved.
Narrated by Kisr bin Jumhan, may Allah be pleased with him:
A man saw Abdullah ibn Umar while he was performing the Sa’y between Safa and Marwa and said to him, “O, son of al-Rahman! I see you walking whilst everyone else is running.” Ibn Umar replied, "If I am walking, it is because I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, walking there. And if I am running, it is because I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, running there." He said, “I am an old man.” [627]
**Explanation:**
The Sa’y between Safa and Marwa is obligatory for Umrah and Hajj. One proceeds from Safa to Marwa four times, and from Marwa to Safa three times; each journey or return constitutes a shawt. There are seven shawts in one Sa’y. Between Safa and Marwa, when descending the valley completely, a swift movement (hurrying) is performed between two green pillars. One walks swiftly in other parts.