Perform Sa’i by walking between Safa and Marwah hills seven times. Start by reciting when approaching the Safa hill “Inna s-safa wa l-marwata min sha’a’iri llah (i)”, then “Abda’u bima bad’allahu bih.” Upon reaching the Safa hill, recite “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi l-hamd.” When walking towards Marwah, men should run, and women should walk at a normal pace between the two sets of green fluorescent lights. Recite any supplications or duas you wish. Perform two rakaah of Salah after completing Sa’i.
When the pilgrim approaches the area of Sa’i (Masaa) and nears the hill of Safa, they should recite the following verse from the Qur’an to begin the Sa’i ritual:
“Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the symbols of Allah” (Surah Baqarah:158) and
“Nabda’u bima bada’a Allaah bihi”
(We start with that with which Allah started)
Once the pilgrim reaches the hill of Safa and climbs to a point where the Ka’bah is visible, you should face the Ka’bah, raise your hands, and make dua (supplication) to Allah (SWT). The pilgrim is free to ask for anything they desire. According to a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would recite the following dua as praise:
“Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa nasara ‘abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah”
(There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He is able to do all things. There is no god but Allah alone; he fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates alone).” (Sahih Muslim, 1218)
After reciting the dua on Safa and supplicating, the pilgrim should repeat the process three times: recite Dhikr, make dua, recite Dhikr, and supplicate again, alternating between the two. Once this is complete, the pilgrim should descend from Safa and proceed toward Marwah.
For men, it is Sunnah to run briskly between the two green markers that indicate the specific distance for running. This area is marked by green lights. Men should run between these markers and then continue walking normally until they reach the hill of Marwah. Upon reaching Marwah, the pilgrim should climb up the hill, face the Qibla, and repeat the same dua and supplication that was recited on Safa.
After this, the pilgrim descends again and heads back to Safa, repeating the same actions as before. This process of moving between Safa and Marwah is called Sa’i, and it must be completed seven times. Each circuit is counted as one journey from Safa to Marwah or from Marwah to Safa. Thus, the seven circuits will begin at Safa and end at Marwah.
This ritual is an essential part of Umrah, symbolising the search of Siti Hajar for water for her son Ismail (AS), and should be performed with sincerity and focus.
Have you decided to go for Umrah this year? That’s awesome! 
