Going to perform an Umrah for the first time? It's time to learn about all the rituals of Umrah journey to perform each at best. And Sa'i is the second most important ritual of Umrah after Tawaf. So, first-time pilgrims in particular should understand how to perform Sa'i step by step to avoid any confusion or making mistakes. Therefore, this post explains everything about Sa'i, its purpose and significance, performing Sa'i step by step and rules of Sa'i for men and women.
What is Sa'i in Umrah?
Sa'i literally means "to struggle". However, it's a complete ritual as part of an Umrah journey in Islamic Shari'a. It's a practice of completing seven laps between Safa and Marwa hills in Mas'a area of Masjid al-Haram. Understand it thoroughly especially if you are going to perform Umrah for the first time as part of how to perform Umrah step by step guide.
Purpose and Significance of Sa'i
Sa'i is a significant ritual of Umrah that symbolizes the biggest example of trusting Allah in hopeless circumstances. Walking back and forth between Safa and Marwa imitates the search of Hazrat Hajar for water for Hazrat Ismail when she ran between Safa and Marwa.
Therefore, pilgrims revive this struggle of Hazrat Hajar and learn from her determined faith and trust that she had in Allah. This is also the reason that performing Sa'i is a highly rewarding act as it revives Muslims to build trust only in Allah and even not in worldly means.
How to Perform Sa’i in Umrah (Step-by-Step Guide with Duas)?
Sa'i journey starts after Tawaf where pilgrims have to perform exactly according to the Sunnah. In fact, starting Sa'i from the wrong location or not completing seven laps invalidates this ritual.
So, following the exact Sunnah steps is important to complete Umrah and expect its acceptance. Here's how to perform Sa'i from start to finish and what to recite during each lap.
Making Niyyah of Sa'i
After performing Tawaf al-Umrah and offering two Rak'ah salah, proceed towards Al-Mas'a to perform Sa'i. Al-Mas'a is a multilevel gallery to the east of the Holy Kaabah having the hills of Safa and Marwa. So, find the nearby Mas'a area and make niyyah that you are going to perform Sa'i as part of Umrah for the sake of Allah. The verbal recital of niyyah isn't mandatory.
Also, recite the following Sunnah Dua upon reaching Safa:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Translation: Surely Safa and Marwah are among the signs of Allah.
After that, say the following Dua:
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Translation: I begin with what Allah began with.
Making Dua at Safa
The Mas'a area is one of the signs of Allah mentioned in the Holy Quran. This is the reason pilgrims should respect this place and make Sincere Dua there. So, take a pause for a while at Safa and ask Allah for guidance, ease, blessings and strong Emann. Also, recite durood on Holy Prophet as it's the place where Dua's are accepted.
Starting first lap of Sa'i (Safa to Marwa)
Start walking from Safa to Marwa at normal pace while doing any dhikar or reciting any Sunnah or personal Dua.
Reciting Tasbeeh (سبحان اللہ), Tahmeed (الحمدللہ) or Takbeer (اللّٰہ اکبر) during walking is equally rewarding as well.
Under the green light area, men have to walk quickly with short steps (Ramal) while walking normally after green lights. However, women have to walk at normal pace throughout the area between both the hills.
Reaching Marwa Hill
Reaching Marwa hill counts as one completed lap. At Marwa, pilgrims can also stop for a while and make Dua while facing Kaabah.
Reciting Tahmeed (الحمدللہ) and sending Durood on Holy Prophet is a rewarding act. It's also the time to ask for forgiveness, guidance and acceptance of Umrah.
Returning from Marwah to Safa
After making Dua, walk back towards Safa while reciting any Dua or doing any dhikar. Similar to the first lap, men have to perform Ramal under the green light area and walk normally after that area. However, women have to walk normally throughout the Mas'a area. And reaching Safa again counts as the second completed lap of Sa'i.
Completing seven laps
Complete the seven laps of Sa'i exactly the same way as the first ones. A complete round from Safa to Marwa counts as one lap and a round from Marwa to Safa counts as one lap.
Complete these laps while reciting any Dua as there's no specific supplication or dhikar to make during Sa'i. This way, the seven rounds of Sa'i gets completed at Marwa. So, make final Dua at Marwa hill and ask Allah for acceptance.
Recommended Dua's to recite in Sa'i
There aren't any specific supplications to recite during each lap of Sa'i. And it's so, because the purpose of Sa'i is to remember Allah and revive the most powerful example of Hazrat Hajar of trusting Allah.
Above all, there are plenty of Sunnah Dua's to ask for goodness for this world and hereafter. So, one can recite any of these to build connection with Allah throughout Sa'i. Here are few recommended Sunnah Dua's that one can add to Dua list and recite during Sa'i:
Dua to recite at Safa and Marwah While Standing
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Translation: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs all praise.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation: There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise. He gives life and causes death, and He has power over all things.
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Translation: There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant and defeated the confederates alone.
Dua to recite before starting Sa'i
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Translation: Indeed, Safa and Marwa 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.
General Dua's During Walking
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ
Translation: O my Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Translation: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Translation: Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي، وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your mercy.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Translation: Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, I seek refuge in You from inability and laziness, I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from being overcome by debt and the oppression of people.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, and no one forgives sins except You. So grant me forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
Translation: O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and I seek refuge in You from the Fire.
Making Personal Dua's during Sa'i
In addition to reciting Sunnah Dua's, it's completely permissible to make personal Dua's during Sa'i. Even pilgrims can make Dua in their own language as sincerity and trust in Allah is the only condition in this case.
So, performing Sa'i is the best time to ask for:
- Forgiveness
- Guidance for yourself and your family
- Health and well-being
- Provisions and blessings
- Success in this life and the Hereafter
- Protection from Hellfire
- Ability to serve Islam
- Beneficial knowledge
Wajib Acts to Perform in Sa'i
Wajib acts are steps to perform during Sa'i which are obligatory in their nature and invalidate Sa'i if not considered properly. Here are the list of wajib acts in Sa'i every pilgrim has to perform:
- Performing Sai between Safa and Marwah
- Starting Sa'i from Safa
- Ending Sa'i at Marwa
- Completing seven laps
- Performing Sa'i after completing Tawaf
- Covering the required awrah
Sunnah Acts to perform in Sa'i
There are also some Sunnah acts that pilgrims should consider while performing Sa'i. However, missing any of these acts doesn't invalidate Sa'i, yet it's not recommended to skip these acts. Here is a list of Sunnah acts:
- Making Dua or doing dhikar during Sa'i
- Facing the Kaabah at Safa and Marwa
- Raising the hands to make Dua
- Reciting Quran while walking
- Walkie at normal pace with humility
- Completing Sa'i without unnecessary breaks
Sa'i Rules for Men
In general, the rules of performing Sa'i are the same for men and women including performing Sa'i in the Mas'a area, completing seven laps and starting from Safa. However, here are a few rules which are specifically for men to perform during Sa'i:
Ramal (walking quickly with short steps) between two green markers
Normal walking outside the green-light zone
Reciting supplications quietly is preferred especially in crowds
Sa'i Rules for Women
There are also some specific rules of Sa'i for women only. Follow these to enhance the quality and chances of your Umrah acceptance:
- Women don't have to perform Ramal, rather walking normally throughout the seven laps of Sa'i
- Avoiding rushing or crowding that compromise hijab
- Reciting supplications without voice
- Sa'i is valid even during menstruation once Tawaf is completed in purity
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Sa'i
Making mistakes during Sa'i can question its acceptance and can also invalidate it completely. So, pilgrims especially first-time travelers should avoid the following mistakes to make the most out of their journey.
- Starting Sa'i before completing Tawaf
- Beginning Sa'i from Marwah instead of Safa
- Ending the seventh lap at Safa instead of Marwa
- Forgetting the count of laps (use finger counter or digital counter)
- Performing Ramal throughout Sa'i (it's only for men and just under the green light area)
- Performing Sa'i outside the Mas'a corridor
- Reciting supplications loudly
- Rushing of turning Sa'i into a race
- Ignoring modesty and humility
- Arguing in crowds
- Using mobile phone excessively
- Losing focus on Ibadah
Tips for first-time pilgrims to perform Sa'i
The rules for performing Sa'i are the same for all the pilgrims. However, there are a few tips for first-time pilgrims to perform Sa'i comfortably and accurately:
- Prefer choosing less crowded level of Mas'a corridor
- Walk at a normal pace
- Do not worry if fellow pilgrims walk faster than you
- Use a finger or digital counter to count all the laps accurately
- Do not stop while in the center of walkway
- Wear comfortable footwear while leaving the upper part of feet bare
- Keep your bag light and secure
- Practice patience and calmness in crowds
- Remember that Wudu isn't a requirement of Sa'i, so do not stress if it breaks
- Trust that Allah accepts sincere effort, not just physical strength
Final Words
In conclusion, Sa'i is an important ritual of an Umrah journey that has to be performed in Mas'a area and according to the Sunnah. In addition, completing seven laps of Sa'i is also important for a valid and acceptable Umrah. Though there's no specific supplication to recite during Sa'i, it's recommended to remember Allah in any way. After all, the purpose of this ritual is to build trust in Allah even during hardships.
FAQs
Is Sa’i compulsory in Umrah?
Yes, Sa’i is an essential ritual of Umrah that pilgrims have to perform to complete Umrah.
Can Sa’i be done on upper floors?
Yes. The Mas'a area is a multilevel gallery and pilgrims can perform Sa'i on upper floors as well.
Are specific duas required during Sa’i?
No. There isn't any specific Dua for pilgrims to perform during Sa'i. So, one can recite any masnon Dua in Sa'i or even make Dua's in native language as well.
Can elderly pilgrims perform Sa’i using wheelchairs?
Yes. Elderly pilgrims can perform Sa'i on wheelchairs as there's a specific area for elders between Safa and Marwa walkways.
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