Saee in Umrah: Meaning and Ritual
Saee, also known as Sa’i, constitutes a crucial rite of both Hajj and Umrah. The term “Saee” derives from Arabic, meaning to strive, walk, or pursue. During Umrah, Saee involves walking back and forth seven times between the small hills of Safa and Marwa, situated near the Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram.
How to Perform Saee: Step-by-Step Guide
- Begin at Safa Hill: Start Saee by proceeding to Safa Hill, aligned with the Hajar al-Aswad. Face the Kaaba and make the intention (Niyat) for Saee. It is Sunnah to recite the phrase “Inna s-safa wa l-marwata min sha’a’iri llah(i)” (Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah). Follow this with the supplication “Abda’u bima bada’allahu bihi” (I begin with that which Allah has begun with). These supplications are recited once before starting Saee and not before each lap.
- Supplication at Safa: Upon reaching Safa Hill, face the Kaaba direction and raise your hands in supplication. Recite the following Dua (supplication): “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi l-ḥamd. La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-hamdu yuhyi wa yumit(u), wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa nasara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-ahzaba wahdah.” Translation: Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise. There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything. There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave, and defeated the confederates alone.
Performing Saee: Step-by-Step Guide
- Proceed to Marwa: From Safa, pilgrims move towards Marwa. Along the way, they will encounter two sets of green fluorescent lights approximately 50 meters apart, known as Milayn al-Akhdharayn. Men are encouraged to run at a medium pace between these markers, while women continue at a normal pace.
- Supplication at Marwa: Upon reaching Marwa Hill, face the direction of the Kaaba and raise hands in supplication, repeating the same Dua as at Safa. Each journey from Safa to Marwa and back constitutes one lap of Saee. Pilgrims continue this process until completing seven laps, ending at Marwa.
- Completion of Saee: At the conclusion of the seventh lap, pilgrims may optionally perform two rakats of Nafil Shukrana (optional prayer of thanks). This marks the end of the Saee ritual in Umrah.
Over the years, improvements have been made for pilgrims’ convenience, including an air-conditioned passage with marble flooring instead of the previous crowded marketplace route.
