Allah (SWT) says, “Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 158) The Sa'i (walking back and forth) between as-Safa and al-Marwah is a ritual ordained by Allah the Almighty in Hajj and Umrah, obliging Muslims to honor it in their hearts. Hajj and Umrah contain numerous lessons and teachings as a guide and beacon in life for Muslims to learn from. Here, you walk between two hills; there, you climb a mountain; here, you kiss the Black Stone; and there, you throw a stone. Some of these acts have clear purposes, while others are hidden, only known to Allah, and we worship Him by performing them with absolute obedience without seeking to understand or question them. We obey and surrender our hearts, minds, and bodies to Allah (SWT) willingly and sincerely.
Among the rituals that Allah has decreed upon Muslims in Hajj and Umrah is the Sa'i.
What is the origin of the Sa'i? And what lessons can be learned from it?
Hajar (peace be upon her) and the Sa'i
A second wife, married to the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in his old age after he had no children with his first wife. Then he is blessed with a child who is still an infant. How dear would she be to his heart? How cherished would she be to him? How closely would he stay by her side to ensure the well-being of the son for whom he had waited for so many years?
The Prophet Ibrahim fully submitted to the will of his Lord, and filled with these emotions as he took his wife to an unknown destination. Where? To the depths of a desert with no water, no provisions, and no people. His believing wife, Hajar, who is also fully submitted to the will of her Lord, accompanies him. She walks with him to where Allah wants, assured by the faith in her heart—not shackled by earthly concerns or even her husband's longing for their awaited son. She is bound to the Almighty, who she trusts will never forsake her.
The desert is vast, the heat is intense, and the rugged path is devoid of any humans. They reach their destination, and Ibrahim prepares to leave.
What did Hajar do to deserve such a fate? Some say it was due to the jealousy of her co-wife, Sarah, causing her to be sent away. But no, it was due to a divine purpose ordained by Allah to have this special status, creating a ritual for the nation to worship until the end of time. To teach the world, through this weak woman, that when faith takes root in the heart, the actions of a woman can become acts of worship for the entire nation.
Ibrahim turns to leave them with only a small amount of provisions and water. No matter how much it is, it is still little. It is only what a man, even a prophet, can carry. How long will it last? A few days, perhaps. But it’s just days, and it will soon run out in a desert surrounded by mountains on all sides, emitting nothing but the stinging heat of the sun from its barren ground. There are no trees for shade, no springs to ensure their survival for even a few more days, and no known paths where people might pass to save them if she nears the brink of starvation or if her son approaches a certain death from thirst.
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) turned his back and left. Was he sorrowful? Was his heart broken for his only child? Did he think of turning back to hold his son close and take him back with him? Was he a heartbroken father or a believer fully surrendered to the will of his Lord, confident in His wisdom and mercy?
And what about Hajar’s feelings as a mother? Did she resent being the wife of a prophet? Did she fear for her son amidst the animals of the desert? Did she blame her husband, the bearer of a divine message, accusing him of being heartless and merciless for leaving his wife and child in the heart of the desert? Did she cling to him to prevent his departure? Did she throw accusations at him, raise her voice, cry, and break down? If she had done so, no one would have blamed her. She wasn't just any woman; she was a mother with an infant she would die for without a second thought. But she didn’t do any of that; she only sought reassurance.
The Barren Desert Became the Mother of All Cities!
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
Ibrahim (ﷺ) brought his wife and her son Isma'il (ﷺ), while she was suckling him, to a place near the Ka'bah under a tree on the spot of Zamzam, at the highest place in the mosque. In those days, there was no human being in Makkah, nor was there any water. So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water, and set out homeward. Isma'il's mother followed him saying: “O Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (to enjoy)?” She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him: “Has Allah commanded you to do so?” He said: “Yes.” She said: “Then He will not neglect us.” She returned while Ibrahim proceeded onwards. Having reached the Thaniya, where they could not see him, he faced Ka'bah, raised his both hands and supplicated: “O our Rubb! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) in order, O our Rubb, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” (14:37).
Isma'il's mother went on suckling Isma'il and drinking from the water which she had. When the water in the water-skin had all been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty. She started looking at Isma'il, tossing in agony. She left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended from As-Safa, and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble till she crossed the valley and reached Al-Marwah mountain where she stood and started looking, expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that (running between As-Safa and Al-Marwah) seven times.” Ibn 'Abbas further related: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “This is the source of the tradition of the Sa'y - i.e., the going of people between the two mountains. When she reached Al-Marwah (for the last time), she heard a voice and she exclaimed: 'Shshs!' (Silencing herself) and listened attentively. She heard the voice again and said: 'O (whoever you may be) You have made me hear your voice; have you any succour for me?' And behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zamzam, digging the earth with his heel (or with his wing), till water flowed out from that place. She started to make something like of a basin around it, using her hands in this way and began to fill her water- skin with water with her hands, and the water was flowing out until she had scooped some of it.” The Prophet (ﷺ) further said, “May Allah bestow mercy on Isma'il's mother! Had she let the Zamzam flow without trying to control it (or had she not scooped in that water) while filling her water-skin, Zamzam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.” The Prophet (ﷺ) further added, “Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The angel said to her: 'Do not be afraid of being neglected, for this is the site on which the House of Allah will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah will never let neglected His people.' The House of Allah (the Ka'bah) at that time was on a high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left. She continued living in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum passed by her and her child. As they were coming from through the way of Kada', in the lower part of Makkah where they saw a bird that had a habit of flying around water and not leaving it. They said: 'This bird must be flying over water, though we know that there is no water in this valley.' They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water, and returned to inform them of the water. So, they all came towards the water.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “Isma'il's mother was sitting near the water. They asked her: 'Do you allow us to stay with you?' She replied: 'Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water.' They agreed to that.” The Prophet (ﷺ) further said, “Isma'il's mother was pleased with the whole situation as she used to love the company of the people. So, they settled there, and later on they sent for their families who came and settled with them. The child (i.e., Isma'il) grew up and learnt Arabic from them (his virtues) caused them to love and admire him as he grew up, and when he reached the age of puberty, they gave him one of their daughters in marriage…” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Hagar Taught Us:
- Trust in Allah: Humans often measure things by their limited capacities. Few people attribute every action to the power of Allah the Almighty. The enemy's arsenal might be vast, but Allah's power is greater. The task may seem daunting, but it is easy for Allah. Hajar only wanted to know that it was Allah's will, not Ibrahim's, and she felt reassured. With absolute faith, she said, “Then He will not neglect us.” As a result, Allah brought forth the water of Zamzam and immortalized her striving. Had she panicked and fallen apart, we wouldn’t have enjoyed the blessings of Zamzam water today. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in another narration by al-Bukhari, “A blessing due to the prayer of Ibrahim.”
- Tawakkul (reliance) upon Allah: Couldn’t Allah have caused the Zamzam well to spring forth without the hardship and effort of the weak, nursing mother walking seven laps between the hills of as-Safa and al-Marwah? Of course, He could. So, what is the wisdom behind that effort? It is to teach the Ummah that tawakkul, faith, and trust in Allah require effort, no matter the level of your faith. You must take action while your heart remains connected to the Lord of all causes. Fulfill Allah's laws by planting the earth to await the fruits with reliance upon Him. Carry your weapon and strive to raise the banner of Allah with the assurance that He will grant you victory. There is neither victory for the slack nor provision for the lazy. You must exert all effort, but it is Allah alone who rewards your efforts with success and prosperity.
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