Safa And Marwa (Mecca (Makkah)) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Safa and Marwa are two small hills located within the Great Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram) in Saudi Arabia. They hold significant religious importance in Islam because of their association with the sacred ritual of Sa'i, performed by pilgrims during both the Hajj and the Umrah. This ritual involves walking back and forth between the hills seven times, commemorating the search for water by Hagar, the wife of Prophet Abraham and mother of Prophet Ishmael.

Yes, tourists who have been able to secure a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and are of the Muslim faith can visit Safa and Marwa, as they are located within the Great Mosque which non-Muslims are not permitted to enter. It is important for tourists to respect the sanctity of the site and the rituals performed there.

The historical significance of Safa and Marwa is rooted in the Islamic tradition that describes Hagar's desperate quest for water for her infant son Ishmael after they were left in the desert by Prophet Abraham on God's command. The ritual of Sa'i symbolizes her frantic search and the miracle when the Zamzam well sprang up to quench Ishmael's thirst.