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Women perform sa'i by walking seven times between Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah. The key difference from men is that women do not run between the green markers — they walk at their normal pace throughout. sa'i does not require wudhu (ritual purity), so menstruating women may perform it. The upper level of the Mas'a is usually less crowded.
After completing tawaf and its two rakaat shalat, proceed to Safa. Climb the hill until you can see the Kabah (or face its direction), raise your hands, and make doa. Then begin walking toward Marwah — this journey from Safa to Marwah counts as one lap. Upon reaching Marwah, climb the hill, face the Kabah direction, and make doa again. Then walk back to Safa — this is the second lap. Continue until you complete seven laps, ending at Marwah. 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 doa during the walk — there are no specific required doa-doa for each lap.
An important point that brings comfort to many women is that sa'i does not require ritual purity (taharah). This means a menstruating woman who cannot perform tawaf may still perform sa'i if she has already completed tawaf before menstruation began. However, a woman who began menstruating before tawaf must wait until she is pure to perform both tawaf and sa'i, as sa'i must follow tawaf. Some scholars, particularly in the Shafi'i school, recommend performing wudhu for sa'i as a sunnah (mustahab) 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 ibadah haji.
The Mas'a (the enclosed corridor between Safa and Marwah) is approximately 395 meters long and is now a fully enclosed, air-conditioned structure integrated into the Masjidil Haram 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 jamaah haji 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 jamaah haji. The corridor has clear directional markings and signs indicating the green marker sections, making it easy to follow the correct path.
sa'i holds profound spiritual significance for women, as it reenacts the desperate search of Hajar (Hagar), wife of Prophet Ibrahim, as she ran between Safa and Marwah 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 jamaah haji — 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 Haji and Umrah 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 Zamzam, 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.