Practical Hajj Guide

Walking between as-Safaa and al-Marawh

Now proceed towards as-Safaa and upon approaching it recite verse 158 of soorat al-Baqarah:

Inna-s-safaa wal marwata min sha ‘aairillaah, fa man hajja-l-baita aw i ‘itamar fa laa junaaha ‘alayhi an yattawwafa bihimaa. Wa man tatawwa ‘a khayran fa innallaaha shaakirun ‘aleem.

Recite this verse only at the beginning. Then say: Nada u bimaa bada Allaahu bih (We begin with what Allaah began with).

Now climb as-Safaa until you see the k’abah. Face it, raise your hands (as in supplication) and say: Allahu Akbar x3, then say the following three times:

(There is no true god except Allaah alone, Who is without partner. His is the kingdom, all praise is due to Him and He is able to do all things. There is no true god except Allaah alone, Who is without partner. He fulfilled His promise, and made His slave prevail, and He defeated the clans all alone). Between each time you may supplicate.

Now descend from as-Safaa and proceed towards al-Marwah. While walking between the two hills, engage yourself in the remembrance of Allaah and turn to Him with humility and sincerity. When you reach the green posts (they are lighted and marked), then walk fast (or jog) to the next green posts (only men) if possible. Then continue walking towards al-Marwah and ascend it and do as you did at as-Safaa (facing qiblah, saying takbeer and the thikr mentioned there and du’aa). This is considered as one complete round. Now return to as-Safaa doing as described above and upon reaching as-Safaa, you have completed two rounds. While running between the two sets of green posts one may say: (My Lord, forgive and have mercy, indeed You are the Mighty, the Supreme). This was reported from Ibn ‘Umar and Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with them).

Continue in this manner until you finally reach al-Marwah after the seventh round. Once you have completed the seven rounds between as-Safaa and al-Marwah, you may cut your hair, thus completing the ‘umrah. Now those things which were prohibited while in ihraam are lawful once again. Remain in this state until the eighth of Thil Hijjah.

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Allaah have mercy on those who shave (their heads). The people asked: And those who shorten (trim their hair) O Messenger of Allaah? He said: O Allaah have mercy on those who shave. They asked: And those who shorten O Messenger of Allaah? He responded: And those who shorten.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)