What are the steps of sa'i during Umrah?
What are the steps of sa'i during Umrah?
Sa'i is the devotional walk between the small hills of Safa and Marwah that every pilgrim completes after Tawaf. The seven traverses remember Hajar’s search for water for her son Ismail and train the heart to seek help from Allah with patience and effort. The path lies inside the Grand Mosque, is well lit, and keeps worshippers moving in a single direction so no one loses the count of laps.
Meaning and location
Safa and Marwah are mentioned in the Qur'an as sacred symbols. Walking between them is therefore not a casual stroll but a living reminder that relief can arrive when the way forward seems blocked. The route is roughly three kilometres long in total, each single lap measuring about four hundred and fifty metres. Two green lights mark a short zone where male pilgrims follow the Sunnah by quickening the pace; women maintain their normal walk. For a concise list of recommended invocations in this area see the Safa dua.
Preparation after Tawaf
Complete Tawaf first, drink Zamzam water, and rest briefly. On the way to Safa renew your intention. A simple resolve in the heart is enough, though many review a short Niyyah before starting. At the foot of Safa face the direction of the Kaaba if it is visible, praise Allah, recite the verse that names Safa and Marwah, and then make personal dua in your own words. There is no fixed wording, so feel free to use any familiar Umrah duas.
Walking the seven laps
- Begin at Safa. Raise your hands, praise Allah, and pray.
- Walk toward Marwah. This is lap one.
- When you reach the green lights men move briskly until the second set of lights, then return to a normal speed. Women keep a steady walk.
- At Marwah face the direction of the Kaaba if possible, praise Allah, and make dua again. Turning back to Safa counts as lap two.
Repeat this pattern until you finish seven laps, ending at Marwah. Count aloud with companions so no one becomes uncertain later. The usual sequence is:
Safa to Marwah (1)
Marwah to Safa (2)
Safa to Marwah (3)
Marwah to Safa (4)
Safa to Marwah (5)
Marwah to Safa (6)
Safa to Marwah (7)
Families should match the pace of the slowest member. Couples often switch the lap counter between spouses, a tip shared in the couples guide. If you accompany elders or anyone with reduced mobility, plan brief pauses along the side so you do not block others and consider a wheelchair. Further advice is available in our article on performing Umrah with parents.
Keep your focus on remembrance. Phones, photos, and loud conversations can break concentration. Many pilgrims repeat phrases of praise such as SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar, seek forgiveness, or quietly recite short passages of Qur'an. Children can be included by giving them a simple dhikr and letting them announce the lap number. If at any point you forget the count, choose the lower number and continue; certainty in worship is essential.
Finishing Sa'i
After the seventh lap ends at Marwah pause, thank Allah, and make a final personal plea. The next rite is hair cutting. Men either shave the head or trim the hair evenly. Women gather the hair and snip about one to two centimetres from the ends. Ihram restrictions stay in force until this cut is performed, even if you leave the mosque first. Once the hair is trimmed you exit Ihram and return to normal clothing, perfumes, and routine activities.
