A photograph of al-Safa.
During Hajj or Umrah, one of the main rituals pilgrims must observe is the traversing between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwa, located at a short distance from the Ka’bah. These two markers signify the beginning and end of the mas‘a (course), which pilgrims walk and run between during the sa‘y (running) rite. According to Islamic tradition the sa‘y between Safa and Marwa commemorates the efforts of Hagar as she ran backwards and forth seven times between these two hillocks to look for water for her thirsty son, Ishmael.
