Safa and Marwa
Total Hadiths 50
Authentic Hadiths on the Rituals of Safa and Marwa
These authentic prophetic traditions clarify the historical context and legal necessity of performing Sa'i (the ritual walk or run) between the hills of Safa and Marwa. In the early days of Islam, some companions hesitated to walk between these hills due to pre-Islamic associations with local idols or because the Qur'an explicitly mentioned the circumambulation of the Ka'ba first. In response, divine revelation affirmed that Safa and Marwa are among the sacred symbols of Allah. The hadiths demonstrate the exact method practiced by the Prophet Muhammad, who performed seven rounds between Safa and Marwa and used to run through the middle of the rainwater passage. According to the companions, this ritual is an obligatory part of Umrah that must be fully completed before a pilgrim can exit the state of Ihram and return to normalcy.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا أَرَى عَلَىَّ جُنَاحًا أَنْ لاَ أَطَّوَّفَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ . قَالَتْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} وَلَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا . إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ هَذَا فِي نَاسٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا إِذَا أَهَلُّوا أَهَلُّوا لِمَنَاةَ فَلاَ يَحِلُّ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمُوا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي الْحَجِّ ذَكَرُوا ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأَنْزَلَهَا اللَّهُ فَلَعَمْرِي مَا أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَجَّ مَنْ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ .
It was narrated that Hisham bin ‘Urwah said: “My father told me: ‘I said to ‘Aishah: “I do not think there is any sin on me if I do not perform Tawaf* between Safa and Marwah.” She said: “Allah says: ‘Verily, Safa and Marwah are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or ‘Umrah of the House to perform Tawaf between them.’” [2:158] If the matter were as you say, then it would have said, ‘it is not a sin on him to not perform the Sa’y between them.’ Rather this was revealed concerning some people among the Ansar who previously, when they stated the Talbiyah, they used to recite it for Manat, and it was not lawful for them to perform Sa’y between Safa and Marwah. When they arrived with the Prophet (ﷺ) for Hajj, they mentioned that to him, and Allah revealed this Verse. By Allah, Allah will not accept the Hajj as complete if one who does not perform Sa’y between Safa and Marwah.’”
[1] Sometimes Sa'y between Safa and Marwah is also called Tawâf .[2] Al-Baqarah 2:158.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2986In-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 105English translation : Vol. 4, Book 25, Hadith 2986
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ الدَّسْتَوَائِيُّ، عَنْ بُدَيْلِ بْنِ مَيْسَرَةَ، عَنْ صَفِيَّةَ بِنْتِ شَيْبَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ وَلَدِ، شَيْبَةَ قَالَتْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَسْعَى بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ " لاَ يُقْطَعُ الأَبْطَحُ إِلاَّ شَدًّا " .
It was narratd that an Umm Walad* of Shaibah said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing Sa’y between Safa and Marwah saying: ‘The valley should not be crossed except quickly.’”
[1] A slave woman who begets a child for her master.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2987In-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 106English translation : Vol. 4, Book 25, Hadith 2987
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ إِنَّمَا سَعَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْبَيْتِ وَبَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ لِيُرِيَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ قُوَّتَهُ. زَادَ الْحُمَيْدِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو، سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، مِثْلَهُ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performed Tawaf of the Ka`ba and the Sa`i of Safa and Marwa so as to show his strength to the pagans.
[1] Al-Mushrikūn : Polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh and in His Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ).Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1649In-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 130USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 26, Hadith 711
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ إِنَّمَا سَعَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ لِيُرِيَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ قُوَّتَهُ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Prophet walked rapidly between As-Safa and Al-Marwah to show the idolaters that he was strong.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2979In-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 362English translation : Vol. 3, Book 24, Hadith 2982
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ إِنَّمَا سَعَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْبَيْتِ وَبَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ لِيُرِيَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ قُوَّتَهُ . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ وَجَابِرٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَسْتَحِبُّهُ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ أَنْ يَسْعَى بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ . فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْعَ وَمَشَى بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ رَأَوْهُ جَائِزًا .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah Only Performed The Sa'I Of The House And Of As-Safa And Al-Marwah To Show His Strength To The Idolaters.
[1] Meaning, when he walked quickly.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 863In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 56English translation : Vol. 2, Book 4, Hadith 863
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَمْرُو بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ السَّائِبِ، عَنْ كَثِيرِ بْنِ جُمْهَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ إِنْ أَسْعَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَسْعَى وَإِنْ أَمْشِ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَمْشِي وَأَنَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
If I go quickly between Safa and Marwah, that is because I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) going quickly, and if I walk that is because I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) walking, even though I am an old man.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2988In-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 107English translation : Vol. 4, Book 25, Hadith 2988
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهَا إِنِّي لأَظُنُّ رَجُلاً لَوْ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ مَا ضَرَّهُ . قَالَتْ لِمَ قُلْتُ لأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ . فَقَالَتْ مَا أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ حَجَّ امْرِئٍ وَلاَ عُمْرَتَهُ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَلَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا . وَهَلْ تَدْرِي فِيمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ أَنَّ الأَنْصَارَ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ لِصَنَمَيْنِ عَلَى شَطِّ الْبَحْرِ يُقَالُ لَهُمَا إِسَافٌ وَنَائِلَةٌ . ثُمَّ يَجِيئُونَ فَيَطُوفُونَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ ثُمَّ يَحْلِقُونَ . فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ كَرِهُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَهُمَا لِلَّذِي كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} إِلَى آخِرِهَا - قَالَتْ - فَطَافُوا .
A'isha Narrated from:
Hisham b. 'Urwa reported on the authority of his father who narrated from 'A'isha. He said to 'A'isha: I think if a person does not run between al- Safa' and al-Marwa, It does not do any harm to him (so far as Hajj is concerned). She said: Why (do you think so)?I said: For Allah says:" Verily al-Safa' and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah" (ii. 158) (to the end of the verse), whereupon she said: Allah does not complete the Hajj of a person or his Umra if he does not observe Sa'i between al-Safa' and al-marwa; and if it were so as you state, then (the wording would have been (fala janah an la yatufu biha) [" There is no harm for him if he does not circumambulate between them']. Do you know in what context (this verse was revealed)? (It was revealed in this context) that the Ansar in the Days of Ignorance pronounced the Talbiya for two idols. (fixed on the bank of the river which were called Isaf and Na'ila. The people went there, and then circumambulated between al-Safa' and al-Marwa and then got their heads shaved. With the advent of Islam they (the Muslims) did not like to circumambulate between them as they used to do during the Days of Ignorance. It was on account of this that Allah. the Exalted and Majestic, revealed:" Verily al-Safe and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah" to the end of the verse. She said: Then people began to observe Sa'i.
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:158.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1277aIn-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 285USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 7, Hadith 2923
وَحَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ الأَنْصَارَ كَانُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا هُمْ وَغَسَّانُ يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ فَتَحَرَّجُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ سُنَّةً فِي آبَائِهِمْ مَنْ أَحْرَمَ لِمَنَاةَ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَإِنَّهُمْ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ حِينَ أَسْلَمُوا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي ذَلِكَ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ}
A'isha Narrated from:
The Ansar and the people of the tribe of Ghassan before embracing Islam pronounced Talbiya for Manat, and so they avoided circumambulating between al-Safa' and al-Marwa, and it was a common practice with their forefather, that he who put on Ihram for Manat did not circumambulate between al-Safa' and al-Marwa. And when they embraced Islam, they asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it, and then Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, revealed this verse: " Verily al-Safa' and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah" ; so he who performs Hajj or Umra, for him there is no harm if he should circumambulate between them, and he who does good spontaneously-surely Allah is Bountiful in rewarding and Knowing.
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:158.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1277eIn-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 289USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 7, Hadith 2927
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ آدَمَ - عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ نُرَى إِلاَّ الْحَجَّ - قَالَتْ - فَلَمَّا أَنْ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ وَبَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ قَالَ " مَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَلْيُقِمْ عَلَى إِحْرَامِهِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَلْيَحْلِلْ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
We went out with the Messenger of Allah with no intention but Hajj. When he had circumambulated the House and performed Sai between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, he said: 'Whoever has a Hadi with him, let him remain in Ihram, and whoever does not have a Hadi with him, let him exit Ihram.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2990In-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 373English translation : Vol. 3, Book 24, Hadith 2993
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا سُوَيْدٌ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ فَمِنَّا مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِالْحَجِّ وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ وَأَهْدَى فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ وَلَمْ يُهْدِ فَلْيَحْلِلْ وَمَنْ أَهَلَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ فَأَهْدَى فَلاَ يَحِلَّ وَمَنْ أَهَلَّ بِحَجَّةٍ فَلْيُتِمَّ حَجَّهُ " . قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكُنْتُ مِمَّنْ أَهَلَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ .
A'isha Narrated from:
We set out with the Messenger of Allah for the Farewell Pilgrimage. Some of us entered Ihram for Hajj and some of us entered Ihram for Umrah and brought along a Hadi. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever entered Ihram for Umrah and did not bring Hadi, let him exit Ihram. And whoever entered Ihram for Umrah and did bring a Hadi, let him not exit Ihra. Whoever entered Ihram for Hajj let him complete his Hajj.'" Aishah said "And I was one of those who had entered Ihram for Umrah."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2991In-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 374English translation : Vol. 3, Book 24, Hadith 2994
