Go up Safa (or approach it), recite the verse “Inna ṣ-Ṣafā wa-l-Marwa…” then “Abdaʾu bimā badaʾa Llāhu bih”, once at the start. Facing the Kaaba, say the Safa dhikr three times with supplications in between. Walk to Marwa: Safa → Marwa counts 1, Marwa → Safa counts 2, and so on up to 7, which ends at Marwa. Between the two green markers, men speed up, women walk normally. On Marwa, same dhikr as on Safa.
Educational guide. If in doubt, ask your guide or a scholar.
Supplications
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Inna ṣ-Ṣafā wa-l-Marwata min shaʿāʾiri Llāh
Safa and Marwa are among the rites of Allah (approaching Safa, the first time).
Quran 2:158
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ
Abdaʾu bimā badaʾa Llāhu bih
I begin with what Allah began with.
Muslim 1218, hadith of Jabir (the Prophet’s ﷺ pilgrimage)
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ. لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Allāhu akbar (×3). Lā ilāha illa Llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr. Lā ilāha illa Llāhu waḥdah, anjaza waʿdah, wa naṣara ʿabdah, wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah
Allah is the greatest (×3). None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, without partner; His is the dominion and the praise, and He is able to do all things. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and alone defeated the confederates. (On Safa and Marwa, three times, facing the Kaaba.)
Muslim 1218, hadith of Jabir (the Prophet’s ﷺ pilgrimage)
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ
Rabbi ghfir wa-rḥam innaka anta l-aʿazzu l-akram
Lord, forgive and have mercy, You are the Mightiest, the Most Generous (between the green markers).
Reported from Companions (Ibn Masʿud, Ibn Umar), not from the Prophet: optional.
Reported from Ibn Masʿud and Ibn Umar (Bayhaqi, Ibn Abi Shayba), sayings of Companions
Common mistakes
- Counting a round trip as one lap (you would then do 14).
- Starting from Marwa.
- Women running between the green markers; men running the whole way.
- Climbing to the top of the rocks: not required, reaching them is enough.
What if…
I doubt: 5 or 6 laps?
Keep 5, the certain number, and finish at Marwa.
Exhausted on the 4th lap?
Sit on the side, drink (Zamzam fountains along the way), resume where you were: no need to restart.
Period starts after tawaf?
Complete the saʿi: it does not require ablution.
Wheelchair?
A lane is reserved for wheelchairs and electric carts; ask the guide.
Checklist
- ☐ Started at Safa
- ☐ Safa dhikr facing the Kaaba
- ☐ 7 laps counted (Safa→Marwa = 1)
- ☐ Finished at Marwa
- ☐ Men: brisk pace between the green markers
Sources
- Quran 2:158
- Muslim 1218, hadith of Jabir (the Prophet’s ﷺ pilgrimage)
- Reported from Ibn Masʿud and Ibn Umar (Bayhaqi, Ibn Abi Shayba), sayings of Companions
All steps
- 1Stay in Madinah
- 2Preparing ihram at the hotel
- 3Ihram at the Dhul Hulayfah miqat (Abyar Ali)
- 4Madinah → Makkah journey in talbiya
- 5Entering Makkah and the Sacred Mosque
- 6Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba
- 7Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam water
- 8Saʿi: 7 laps between Safa and Marwa
- 9Halq or taqsir: leaving ihram
- 10The return