Tawaf and Sa'i: How to Perform Them
Tawaf is seven anticlockwise circuits of the Kaaba starting and ending at the Black Stone, followed by two rak'ahs. Sa'i is seven one-way walks between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah, about 3.2 km in total. In a crowd, tawaf on the ground floor takes 45 to 90 minutes and sa'i about an hour.
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Tawaf
- Be in wudu. Men uncover the right shoulder (idtiba) for this tawaf only.
- Stand in line with the Black Stone (marked by a green light), face it, raise the right hand and say the takbir.
- Walk anticlockwise, keeping the Kaaba on your left. Men walk briskly (ramal) in the first three circuits where possible.
- Complete seven circuits, saying the takbir at the Black Stone each time.
- Cover the shoulder and pray two rak'ahs, then drink Zamzam.
Sa'i
- Climb Safa, face the Kaaba, raise your hands and make dua.
- Walk to Marwah; men jog lightly between the green lights.
- Repeat until you finish the seventh lap at Marwah.
At the Black Stone (start of each circuit) (Bukhari; Bayhaqi)
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillāhi wallāhu akbar.
Meaning: In the name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone (Al-Baqarah 2:201; Abu Dawud)
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār.
Meaning: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Approaching Safa (first time only) (Al-Baqarah 2:158; Muslim)
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللّٰهِ، أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللّٰهُ بِهِ
Innaṣ-ṣafā wal-marwata min shaʿā’irillāh. Abda’u bimā bada’allāhu bih.
Meaning: Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with.
On Safa and Marwah, facing the Kaaba (Muslim)
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahū lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr. Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah, anjaza waʿdah, wa naṣara ʿabdah, wa hazamal-aḥzāba waḥdah.
Meaning: There is no god but Allah alone, without partner; His is the dominion 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 alone defeated the confederates.
Drinking Zamzam (reported from Ibn ʿAbbās (Daraqutni); the chain is weak)
اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا، وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Allāhumma innī as’aluka ʿilman nāfiʿā, wa rizqan wāsiʿā, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.
Meaning: O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision and a cure for every illness.
Apart from these, there are no fixed duas for each circuit; make dua in your own words and language.
For elderly pilgrims
Wheelchairs and electric carts are available in Masjid al-Haram; the upper floors are less crowded but each circuit is longer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need wudu for sa'i?
It is recommended but not required. Tawaf does require wudu.
What if prayer starts during tawaf?
Join the prayer where you are, then continue the circuit from that point.
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