158- THE SAFA AND MARWA ARE OF ALLAH’S RIGHTS.  IT IS NO OFFENCE FOR THOSE WHO GO ONE HAJJ OR OMRAH TO THE HOUSE TO WALK BETWEEN THEM.  AS FOR THOSE WHO DO GOOD OR THEIR OWN ACCORD, ALLAH IS GENEROUS IN REWARDING AND HE KNOWS ALL THINGS.

This Ayah is a clarification of one of the rights of Hajj.  Ibrahim and Ismail peace be upon them asked Allah the Highest to show them their rites which also became our rites “AND SHOW US OUR RITES AND FORGIVE US” (S: 2 A: 128)

The walk between Safa and Marwa seven times is symbolic of what happened with Hajar, Ibrahim’s young wife from whom he had his son Ismail.  Allah the Highest commanded Ibrahim to leave them at the site of the Kabba.  They ran out of water, and Hajar began to run between the two little hills of Safa and Marwa, to stand on one hill then the other, looking for people or caravan.  Allah the Highest sent the angel Gabriel, who scratched the surface of the ground and water gushed out.  This is the Spring of Zamzam, which have been watering millions of people every year since. 

Later, when people started worshipping Idles, they put two large idles on top of each hill, called Asef and Naela.  Also at the point when pilgrims from Medina have to change into their Ihram, a large idle was erected.  Also, there were over 360 idles erected in and around the Kabba.

Some of the Muslims from Medina and other tribes were able to go to Hajj before the Muslims took Makah and destroy the Idles on the 8^th year of Hejra.  They were not comfortable about performing Hajj with all these Idles about.  This Ayah answered them.

Indeed, the walking between Safa and Marwa is one of the pillars of Hajj, therefore it is an obligation.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said about them: “Walk between them, for Allah made this walk a duty upon you”.  (B:Hajj;79-80 & T:Hajj;39-64 & Mal:Hajj;50 & Da:Manasek;36,77 & A:6;139)

It has also been reported that: “Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him started running from the Safa saying: “THE SAFA AND MARWA ARE OF ALLAH’S RITES” then he said: “I start with what Allah started with” (starting from Safa).  (D: Manasek; 56 & T: Hajj; 38 & N: Hajj, 161)

Allah the Highest then tells us that He sees and knows every thing and then rewards for it, most generously.

One might ask why do we have to do this, thousands of years following an event?

When do we have to walk around the Kabba seven times? 

Or why do we have to stone a pillar symbolic of Satan?

And many more questions.

In fact we can say that about all acts of worship, but Islam is submission.  When we believe in Allah, and He commands us to worship Him, Allah the Highest how we do that, we do not.  Part of our submission to Allah the Highest is to worship Him the Way He commands, regardless.  We do not choose, but just accept.

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi