Al-Safa and Al-Marwah
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah (Safa and Marwah) (Arabic: الصفا Aş-Şafā ; المروة Al-Marwah) are two small hills now located in the Masjid al Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.
On another unconventional views and interpretations, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah does not necessarily refers to the two small hills as above.
The classical Arabic dictionary meaning of safa means "the camel and the sheep that give a lot of milk" and "the palm tree that carries a lot of dates". Also, a related word safif means "meat".
In Quran, a plural word closely related to "safa", which is "sawaf", can be found in 22:36. صواف - lined in a row/arranged in a row which means "the sacrificial animals lined in row".
As for marwah it has a meaning of the white fragile stone where a cooking fire is started. It also means "the stone on which an animal is slaughtered".
The alternative view provide an answer to the notion that As-Safa and Al-Marwa that currently located in Mecca was the legacy of pre-Islamic pagan rites and have nothing to do with Hajj rituals as prescribed the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) pbuh. There is no explicit verse in the Quran that mentioned the need "to travel back and forth seven times" during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.
History
In Islamic tradition, Ibrahim (Abraham) was commanded by Allah (God) to leave his wife Hajarah (Hagar) in the desert along with her infant son Ishmael and some provisions as a test of his faith. When the provisions were exhausted, Hagar searched for water. Due to the blistering heat, mirages of water began to appear near the two hills. Hagar believed that she had found water, and ran back and forth between the hills, thinking that there would be some nourishment. After her apparently fruitless search, she returned to Ishmael and found that a spring had sprouted forth from the crying baby's feet. Muslims believe that God provided her with the miraculous surge of water from the well, known as Zamzam. Many people can be killed during this walk.
Location
The Masjid al Haram houses the holy
The sa'i
Performing the Sa'i, also known as Sa'ee,[1] serves to commemorate Hajar's search for water and God's mercy in answering prayers.
Dr. Ali Shariati in his book, HAJJ: Reflection on Its Rituals describes the Sa'i:
Sa'i is a search. It is a movement with an aim. It is depicted by running and hurrying. During tawaf (circumambulation) you acted as Hajar. In Ibrahim's position you acted as Ibrahim and Ismail. Once you begin "trying" (Sa'i) you are acting as Hajar again. Here is a true demonstration of oneness. Shapes, patterns, colors, degrees, personalities, borders, distinctions and distances are destroyed. Naked man and stripped humanity are on the scene! Nothing but faith, belief and action are eminent! Here nobody is spoken of; even Ibrahim, Ismail and Hajar are only names, words and symbols. Whatever exists is moving constantly, humanity and spirituality and between them only discipline. Furthermore, this is Hajj, a decision for an eternal movement in a certain direction. It is also how the whole world moves.[2]
In the Quran
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are also mentioned in the holy Quran. "Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth." Surah #2 Ayat # 158
References
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