Safa Marwa Dua (Complete Guide with Arabic, English, Meaning, and How to Perform Sa'i)

The walk between Safa and Marwa is one of the most powerful and emotional acts of worship in Islam. This ritual is called Sa'i, and it is performed during Hajj and Umrah.

Sa'i reminds Muslims of three major spiritual values:

• Trust in Allah
• Patience during hardship
• Hope when things feel impossible

Safa and Marwa are two small hills located inside Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Every year, millions of Muslims walk between them while remembering the story of Hajar (AS) and her infant son Isma'il (AS). When she ran between these hills searching for water, Allah rewarded her struggle with the miracle of Zamzam.

This act of worship is also mentioned in the Qur'an and was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Today, Muslims perform Sa'i with humility, love, and sincere dua.

What You Will Learn in This Guide

In this complete guide, you will learn:

• The Safa Marwa Dua from the Sunnah
• How to perform the 7 rounds of Sa'i
• The dua in Arabic and English
• The meaning of the dua (simple explanation)
• The distance between Safa and Marwa
• Common questions people ask during Umrah and Hajj

Let's go step by step.

Dua for Safa and Marwa (When Starting Sa'i)

When you reach Safa to begin Sa'i, it is Sunnah to:

• Face the Ka'bah
• Raise your hands
• Praise Allah
• Make dua

There is no single mandatory dua that must be recited. However, there is a well-known dua from the Sunnah that many Muslims recite at Safa (and again at Marwa).

Safa Marwa Dua in Arabic

اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Safa Marwa Dua in English

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
There is no god but Allah alone; He has no partner. His is the kingdom, and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.
There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and defeated the allies by Himself.

Meaning of Safa Marwa Dua (Simple Explanation)

This dua is a powerful declaration of faith.

In it, you:

• Praise Allah as the Greatest
• Confirm Allah's oneness
• Acknowledge that all power and victory come only from Him
• Remember that Allah always fulfills His promises

This dua helps fill your heart with trust, calmness, and hope before starting Sa'i.

After reciting it, you can make any personal dua in your own language. You can ask for forgiveness, guidance, healing, protection, success, and Jannah.

Safa Marwa Dua for the 7 Rounds of Sa'i

Sa'i is completed in 7 rounds.

Here is how it works:

• Round 1: Safa → Marwa
• Round 2: Marwa → Safa
• Continue until you complete 7 rounds
• The 7th round ends at Marwa

Is There a Specific Dua for Each Round?

No. There is no fixed dua for each round in Sa'i.

Islam keeps this worship flexible and easy. During the walk, you may:

• Recite Qur'an
• Make dhikr (SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar)
• Send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ
• Make a personal dua for yourself, your family, and the Ummah

Many people repeat this short dhikr throughout Sa'i:

Transliteration:
La ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer.

Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Most Important Tip

The most important part of Sa'i is not the exact wording. It is:

• Humility (khushu')
• Presence of heart
• Sincerity in dua

Walk calmly, remember Allah, and reflect on the struggle of Hajar (AS), who trusted Allah completely.

Safa Marwa Distance (How Far Is Sa'i?)

The distance between Safa and Marwa is approximately:

• 394 to 450 meters (around 1,480 feet)

Since Sa'i includes 7 rounds, the total walking distance is about:

• 3.15 to 3.6 kilometers
• 1.96 to 2.2 miles

Today, the Sa'i area is indoors and well-organized. It includes:

• Air conditioning
• Smooth walking floors
• Clear signs
• Lanes for wheelchairs and elderly pilgrims

Even if the walk feels tiring, remember this:

Every step is rewarded.

Spiritual Lessons from Safa and Marwa

Sa'i is not only physical worship. It teaches deep spiritual lessons.

1. Trust in Allah

Hajar (AS) trusted Allah even when she was alone in the desert.

2. Effort and Dua Work Together

She ran and searched. Then Allah sent help.

3. Never Lose Hope

When things look impossible, Allah can open doors you never expected.

4. Patience Is Always Rewarded

Zamzam came after a struggle, not before.

5. Allah Sees Every Tear and Every Step

Your tiredness, your dua, and your sincerity are never wasted.

Final Thoughts

The story of Safa and Marwa proves something beautiful:

Effort, patience, and trust in Allah always bring blessings.

Even a simple walk becomes a powerful act of worship when it is done for Allah.

As you prepare for Umrah or Hajj, remember this: the true journey is spiritual. Keep your heart humble, keep your tongue busy with dhikr, and keep your hope strong in Allah's mercy.

If you're planning your Umrah from the USA, Alhamd Travel can help you book trusted Umrah packages with reliable hotels, flights, and guidance, so you can focus fully on your worship.

FAQs About Safa Marwa Dua and Sa'i

Is there a fixed Safa Marwa Dua?

No. There is no single mandatory dua for Sa'i. You may recite Sunnah duas, dhikr, Qur'an, or personal duas.

Where do I start, and where do I end, Sa'i?

You start at Safa and walk to Marwa. One round is from Safa to Marwa. You complete 7 rounds, and the final round ends at Marwa.

Can I make dua in my own language during Sa'i?

Yes. Allah understands all languages. You can make a dua in your own words sincerely.

What if I forget the dua or don't know Arabic?

That is completely fine. Your Sa'i is still valid. Just remember Allah and make a simple dua.

How long does Sa'i usually take?

It depends on the crowd and your pace. Most people complete Sa'i in 30 to 60 minutes.