Women perform السعي by walking seven times between الصفا and المروةh, beginning at الصفا and ending at المروةh. The key difference from men is that women do not run between the green markers — they walk at their normal pace throughout. السعي does not require الوضوء (ritual purity), so menstruating women may perform it. The upper level of the Mas'a is usually less crowded.
After completing الطواف and its two rakaat الصلاة, proceed to الصفا. Climb the hill until you can see the الكعبة (or face its direction), raise your hands, and make دعاء. Then begin walking toward المروةh — this journey from الصفا to المروةh counts as one lap. Upon reaching المروةh, climb the hill, face the الكعبة direction, and make دعاء again. Then walk back to الصفا — this is the second lap. Continue until you complete seven laps, ending at المروةh. The key distinction for women is in the green-lit section between the two green markers: men are instructed to jog or walk briskly in this section, but women walk at their normal pace throughout the entire corridor. This is by scholarly consensus. Supplicate with any دعاء during the walk — there are no specific required الأدعية for each lap.
An important point that brings comfort to many women is that السعي does not require ritual purity (taharah). This means a menstruating woman who cannot perform الطواف may still perform السعي if she has already completed الطواف before menstruation began. However, a woman who began menstruating before الطواف must wait until she is pure to perform both الطواف and السعي, as السعي must follow الطواف. Some scholars, particularly in the Shafi'i school, recommend performing الوضوء for السعي as a مستحب (مستحب) act, but it is not a condition of validity. This flexibility reflects the practical wisdom of Islamic jurisprudence in accommodating women's biological realities during الحج.
The Mas'a (the enclosed corridor between الصفا and المروةh) is approximately 395 meters long and is now a fully enclosed, air-conditioned structure integrated into the المسجد الحرام expansion. It has multiple levels: the ground floor, first floor, and upper levels. The ground floor tends to be the most crowded, while upper levels offer more space. Wheelchair-accessible paths are available on all levels. For women, the upper level is often the most comfortable choice, offering less physical contact with other الحجاج and a calmer atmosphere for reflection. The walking distance per lap is the same on all levels. Electric carts are available on the ground floor for elderly or mobility-impaired الحجاج. The corridor has clear directional markings and signs indicating the green marker sections, making it easy to follow the correct path.
السعي holds profound spiritual أهمية for women, as it reenacts the desperate search of Hajar (Hagar), wife of Prophet Ibrahim, as she ran between الصفا and المروةh seeking water for her infant son Ismail. Her faith, perseverance, and trust in Allah during that moment of extreme vulnerability are literally enshrined in one of Islam's most sacred rituals. Every الحاج — male and female — walks in her footsteps, honoring a woman's act of devotion and sacrifice. This is a powerful reminder that feminine faith and courage are at the very heart of the الحج and العمرة experience. As you walk between the hills, reflect on Hajar's situation: alone in a barren valley with a helpless infant, she did not despair but took action, running back and forth, trusting that Allah would provide. And He did — the well of زمزم, which has flowed continuously for thousands of years, was the answer to her faith. Let this story inspire your own trust in Allah during your moments of difficulty and uncertainty.