Safa and Marwa are two sacred hills located within the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, on its eastern side. They hold deep historical and spiritual significance in Islam, forming an essential part of both the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Pilgrims perform the ritual of Saee—walking back and forth seven times between these two hills—as a mandatory act. Without it, the pilgrimage remains incomplete. The Saee begins at Safa and concludes at Marwa at the end of the seventh round.
THE DESIGN OF MAS’AA: PATH BETWEEN SAFA AND MARWA
The path that connects Safa and Marwa is known as Mas’aa. It spans four levels and is designed with inclusivity and safety in mind. With a width of up to 40 meters and a total area exceeding 87,000 square meters, Mas’aa incorporates modern architectural elements while honoring its historic roots.
Key features include:
-
Multiple floors to manage large crowds.
-
Dedicated pathways for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
-
Clearly marked assembly zones around the hills.
-
Ramps and elevators for enhanced accessibility.
ORIGINS OF SAEE: A LEGACY OF HAJAR (AS)
The practice of Saee commemorates the unwavering faith of Hajar (AS), wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). When left alone in the barren valley of Makkah with her infant son Ismail (AS), Hajar ran back and forth between the hills in desperate search of water. Her sacrifice was answered when the spring of Zamzam miraculously gushed forth near the Kaaba.
This act of devotion and trust in Allah was so significant that it became a timeless pillar of pilgrimage for all Muslims
.
SAFA AND MARWA: GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
-
Safa, situated at the foot of Mount Abu Qubays, marks the starting point of the Saee. The Safa Gate of the Grand Mosque is named after it.
-
Marwa, a small elevation north of Safa, serves as the endpoint.
-
Between them lies a valley, marked today by green indicator lights inside Mas’aa. This area historically marked the lowest terrain between the two hills.
During earlier times, this valley also hosted the residence of Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
EVOLUTION OF MAS’AA THROUGH THE AGES
Pre-Saudi Era:
-
The path between Safa and Marwa once served as a bustling marketplace, filled with shops selling dates, grains, and meat.
-
Pilgrims would often have to navigate through crowded market stalls to perform the Saee.
-
During the Abbasid Caliphate, pilgrims ascended Safa via 12 steps and Marwa via 15 steps to complete the ritual.
Modern Developments:
-
1926 – King Abdulaziz Al Saud: Paved the Mas’aa with stone to reduce dust and shaded it with canopies in 1947.
-
1956 – Initial Major Expansion: Demolished older shops and residences to build a more organized, integrated Mas’aa.
-
King Saud’s Era: Added the first and second floors of the Mas’aa, improving capacity.
-
King Fahd’s Era: Expanded the Safa and Marwa areas and improved entrances and exits.
-
King Abdullah’s Era: Doubled the Mas’aa’s width and increased its total built-up area to 125,000 square meters, making it more accommodating for the millions of pilgrims visiting annually.
SPIRITUAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLISM
The Mas’aa stands today not only as a pathway but as a powerful symbol of endurance, faith, and divine providence. It is both a historical monument and a testament to the Islamic architectural evolution—from simple dirt tracks to a marvel of spiritual engineering.
From the legacy of Hajar (AS) to its development into a fully accessible facility, Safa and Marwa continue to inspire and uplift the hearts of Muslims around the globe.
