Makkah al-Mukarramah Kay Fazail
TAG: Makkah
Bait Allah
Bait Allah by Mufti Muneeb
Baad Az Khuda Buzurg Tuee, Qissa Mukhtasar
Baad Az Khuda Buzurg Tuee, Qissa Mukhtasar
Why Non-Muslims Are Not Allowed In The Holy Cities Of Makkah And Madinah?
Question: Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah?
Answer: It is true that non-Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by law. The following points will serve to elucidate the possible reasoning behind such a restriction.
1. All citizens are not permitted in the cantonment area
I am a citizen of Pakistan. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like the cantonment. In every country, there are certain areas where a common citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military or those who are connected with the defense of the country is allowed in the cantonment area. Similarly, Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and for all human beings. The cantonment areas of Islam are the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Here only those who believe in Islam and are involved in the defence of Islam i.e. the Muslims are allowed.
It would be illogical for a common citizen to object to the restriction on entering a cantonment area. Similarly, it is not appropriate for non-Muslims to object to the restriction on non-Muslims against entering Makkah and Madinah.
2. Visa to enter Makkah and Madinah
Whenever a person travels to a foreign country he has to first apply for a visa i.e. permission to enter that country. Every country has its own rules, regulations, and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their criteria are satisfied they will not issue a visa.
One of the countries that is very strict in issuing a visa is the United States of America, especially when issuing visas to citizens of the third world. They have several conditions and requirements to be fulfilled before they issue a visa.
When I visited Singapore, it was mentioned on their immigration form – death to drug traffickers. If I want to visit Singapore I have to abide by the rules. I cannot say that the death penalty is a barbaric punishment. Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country.
The Visa: The primary condition required for any human being to enter Makkah or Madina is to say with his lips, La ila ha illallah Muhammed ur Rasulullah meaning that “there is no God but Allah and Muhammed (SAW) is His Messenger.”
Who Is Muhammad And How Did He Become A prophet And Messenger Of God
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad [PBUH] was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity, and sincerity, so he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad [peace be upon him] was of a deeply religious nature and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the ‘Mountain of Light’ near Makkah.
How did he become a prophet and messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad [pbuh] received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation continued for twenty-three years and is known as the Qur’an. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecutions, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra, ‘migration’, in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the Prophet [peace be upon him] and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet [pbuh] died at the age of 63, the more significant part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the west and as far east as China.
What is the Ka’aba?
The Ka’aba is the place of worship that God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what many believe was the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today they say ‘At thy service, O Lord’, in response to Abraham’s summons.
How did the spread of Islam affect the world?
Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine — Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet [pbuh], ‘seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman’. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero [vital to the advancement of mathematics], were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant, and good navigational maps.
Maqam-e-Ibrahim
Maqam-e-Ibrahim
Contemplations On Hajj
You are set to depart to accomplish a great obligation. Make this journey to Allah’s House as Allah wants. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allah, the Highest. This raises questions like What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the Sunnah? Allah says: “And invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, everything will perish save His Face, His is the Decision, and to Him (all) shall be returned.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 88]
When you equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land of Makkah – remember your journey to Allah and the Hereafter where you will require the provision of your good deeds to reach your desired goal. Before you are death and grave, accounting and scales and al-Siraat followed by either Paradise or Hell. The blessed one will be he whom Allah saves, therefore follow the Command of Allah “and whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the Journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwa.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 197]
Putting on the two garments of Ihram should remind you of the moment of shrouding when your body will be wrapped and put in a grave. This prompts you to give up disobedience and sins, just as you abandoned your expensive clothes and dressed in two clean, white garments. Clean and purify your heart from all stains of sins and disobedience.
When you stand in meeqat, remember that there is still another meeqat that is sure to come soon. It is the meeqat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Resurrection: “Say (O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): Verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for an appointed Meeting of a known Day.” [(57): 49-50]
Upon entering Makkah remember you are in a secure sanctuary: “Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of the men know not.” [Soorah (28): 57]
Remember the sanctuary on the Day of Resurrection, which none can achieve except those who truly believe in Allah and avoid all kinds of Shirk because “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their Belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshiping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are guided.” [al-An’aam 6:81]
“If you were to join gods with Allah, truly fruitless will be your deeds.” [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65] So, commit yourself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allah, hoping that Allah will grant you security from His Punishment.
When you enter al-Masjid al-Haraam, from one of the gates, now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allah for making this possible and hope that He will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Reckoning. This thankfulness is not just to say ‘Al-Hamdulillah’, but also to obey His Commands during the Hajj and all your life through.
Kissing the Black Stone should install in your love for the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), remember the saying of Umar (radhi allahu anhu), “I know that you are a mere stone that can neither harm nor do any good. If I had not seen the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) kissing you, I would have never kissed you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1520) and others]
You start your Tawaaf; know that Tawaaf is a great time for magnifying Allah. Remember Him and busy yourself in Du’aa. Reflect upon the time when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was prevented from doing the same what you are performing!! Then think how Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) cleansed the House of Allah from every symbol signifying worship to others besides Allah. All idols were demolished! Ask Allah to make you steadfast on the correct belief and Path of the Salaf and make you die on the Deen al-Hanifiyyah.
Drink the water of Zam-Zam and supplicate to Allah and Glorify Him. Remember the blessing of Allah, which He has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water.
When you are in the Sa’ee (running between al-Safa’ and al-Marwa), contemplate on Hajrah, the mother of Isma’eel alaihis-salaam, when she asked her husband, Ibraheem alaihis-salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (meaning leave me and my baby in the deserted area of Makkah)? When he (Ibraheem alaihis-salaam) replied in the affirmative, her strong belief, trust, and reliance on Allah was seen when she responded to him saying: “Then He (Allah) will not neglect us!!” This great statement of Haajar exemplifies the robust endurance, perseverance, and trust a Muslim should have in Allah. Here in the deserted Makkah was Hajrah with full conviction in Allah and there on the mountains was Ibraheem alaihis-salaam invoking Allah: “O our Rabb! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order, O our Rabb that they may offer prayers perfectly, so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 37] Allah answered the Du’aa of Ibraheem alaihis-salaam and valued the firm belief of Hajar – Men and fruit came to Makkah from different places and their son grew up to be a Prophet of Allah.
The Sa’ee and the struggle of Hajrah convey the lessons of Patience in adversity, and that man should turn to Allah, Who alone is the source of help. When a man remembers the struggle and patience of this woman, it makes it easier for him to bear his own problems.
Standing in Arafat (Wuqoof) and the crowd should remind you of the Day of Resurrection when all men from first to the last will stand in front of their Lord, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised for fifty thousand years. Humble yourself to Allah and manifest your worship to Him alone. Determine to abandon all sins, rush to perform good deeds, and free yourself of all pride and arrogance.
Gather pebbles and when you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat, remember the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Judgment.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 6, no: 2515] This stoning at the Jamaraat is a manifestation of Uboodiyyah because even if a man does not understand the complete reason and wisdom behind the stoning, he follows the Command of Allah in submission.
Before you perform the sacrifice, purify your intention because: “It is neither their meat nor their blood which reaches Allah, but it is your devotion that reaches Him.” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 37] When you slaughter your Hady (sacrifice), remember the event when a father (Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) submitted to the Command of Allah and willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son (Isma’eel alaihis-salaam) who had grown and become a help for his old age. This teaches us to respond to the Command of Allah, just as Isma’eel did: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded Insha’Allah you will find me from the Saabireen (the patient ones).” [Soorah as-Saffat (37): 102]
After the completion of your Hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allah has ended, carefully read what Allah says: “So when you have accomplished your Manaasik (i.e. the rites of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 200]
Virtues Of Umrah Performed In Ramadan
Ibn ‘Abbas may Allah be pleased with him narrated, “When the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention) returned after performing Hajj (major pilgrimage), he asked Umm Sinaan Al-Ansaariyyah, ‘Why did you not perform Hajj?’ She replied, ‘The father of so-and-so [i.e., her husband] had two camels and he went on pilgrimage on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land.’ The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention)said [to her]: ‘An ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) in Ramadan is akin to Hajj with me [in terms of reward].’” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] According to another narration, he told her: “When Ramadan comes, do ‘Umrah as [the reward for] it then is equivalent to Hajj.”
Likewise, it was reported by Umm Ma‘qil may Allah be pleased with her that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention ), said to her, “Perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, as it is equal to Hajj.”[Abu Daawood] Similar Hadeeths were also narrated on the authority of Jaabir, Anas, Abu Hurayrah, and Wahb ibn Khanbash may Allah be pleased with them all.
Ibn Battaal may Allah have mercy upon him commented on the aforementioned Hadeeths, saying: The sentence that ‘Umrah “then is equivalent to Hajj”, proves that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), was actually encouraging her to perform a voluntary Hajj, as the whole Ummah (Muslim nation) has unanimously agreed that the ‘Umrah can never be a substitute for the obligatory Hajj. Moreover, what he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), meant is that they are like each other in reward, but virtues cannot truly be perceived through analogy, and Allah The Almighty bestows His Bounty upon whom He Wills.
Benefits and rulings [derived from these Hadeeths]:
1- The mercy and bounty bestowed by Allah The Almighty upon His slaves are great, as He granted them huge rewards in return for small good deeds; so, we praise Him abundantly for that.
2- The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), was keen on ensuring the welfare of his Ummah and would ask after those under his rule. Just as he was the sincerest confidant to all people, any slave whom Allah The Almighty puts in charge of subjects should treat them leniently, advise them, check on their conditions, and serve their worldly and religious benefits.
3- ‘Umrah done during the month of Ramadan cannot be a substitute for the obligatory Hajj, i.e., they are equal in reward, but the former does not replace the latter as a fulfillment of the obligation that is unanimously agreed upon by the scholars.
4- The reward of good deeds increases in proportion to the virtue of the time they are performed, as well as one’s heartfelt devotion and dedication.
5- This Hadeeth is similar to the narration that says, “The Chapter Al-Ikhlaas (Purification) equals one-third of the Quran”; it indicates that it is equivalent in terms of the reward of recitation, not that reciting it could, or should, substitute actually reciting [that much or] the whole of the Quran.
6- The ‘Umrah here is considered equal to the Hajj in reward when it is performed during the month of Ramadan, which is a great season for good deeds. Hence, whoever performs it then, enjoys the virtue of the place [i.e., the Sacred Mosque in Makkah] and time [i.e., Ramadan]; this is also the case with one who performs Hajj, as he is also in the same holy place and in a blessed time [i.e., months of Hajj].
In addition, doing ‘Umrah in the month of Ramadan is more difficult. That is because one may be fasting while performing it or break his fast due to the traveling involved, and then have to make up for it. This is not the case when one performs ‘Umrah during any other month. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), said to ‘Aa‘ishah may Allah be pleased with her once, when he ordered her to perform ‘Umrah, “It [i.e., its reward] is according to your effort”, or, as per another narration, “according to your expenditure.”[Muslim]
7- This great reward is granted to whoever performs the ‘Umrah during the month of Ramadan, even if he [or she] returns immediately thereafter and does not prolong his [or her] stay in Makkah.
8- These Hadeeths do not mean that it is recommended for one to perform ‘Umrah many times in the month of Ramadan or in a single day of it. This practice, which has become common today, differs from the Sunnah and traditions of the honorable Companions may Allah be pleased with them as it was not reported that any of them used to perform many ‘Umrahs during the same journey to Makkah.
9- Whoever performs ‘Umrah in Ramadan and intends to stay at the Holy Mosque during the whole month or its last ten nights, should guard himself against committing any prohibition, because evil deeds are more sacrilegious in Makkah than in any other place, not to mention, during the month of Ramadan.
10- Whoever takes his family to stay at the Holy Mosque during the month of Ramadan, should take care that they, too, do not fall into committing any forbidden act; otherwise, he may return with sins that exceed the reward he came to earn, due to his negligence towards his wife and children.
11- If one entered the state of Ihraam (ritual consecration) with the intention of performing ‘Umrah and reached Makkah while fasting, he has the choice of either breaking his fast to be able to do it immediately or waiting to do it until after sunset.
Recite Surah Al-Kahf On Friday
Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)
Virtues of reciting Surah al-Kahf
We are encouraged to recite/read Surah Kahf on Fridays. This is something proven by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). There are saheeh ahadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning the virtues of reciting Surah al-Kahf during the day or night of Jumu’ah (Friday).
These include:
From Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him), who said: “Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).”
(Narrated by al-Daarimi, 3407. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, 6471)
“Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”
(Narrated by al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. It was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6470)
The surah may be read during the night or the day of Jumu’ah. The night of Jumu’ah starts at sunset on Thursday,
and the day of Jumu’ah ends at sunset. Therefore the time for reading this surah extends from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Friday.
Introduction
Name
This Surah takes its name from v. 9 in which the word (Al-kahf) occurs.
Period of Revelation
This is the first of those Surahs which were sent down in the third stage of Prophethood at Makkah. We have already divided the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) at Makkah into four stages in the Introduction to Chapter VI. According to that division, the third stage lasted from the fifth to the tenth year of Prophethood. What distinguishes this stage from the second and the fourth stages is this. During the second stage, the Quraish mainly resorted to ridiculing, scoffing, threatening, tempting, raising objections, and making false propaganda against the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers in order to suppress the Islamic Movement. But during the third stage, they employed weapons of persecution, manhandling, and economic pressure for the same purpose. So much so that a large number of the Muslims had to emigrate from Arabia to Habash, and those who remained behind were besieged in Shi’ib Abi Talib along with the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family. To add to their misery, a complete social and economic boycott was applied against them. The only redeeming feature was that there were two personalities, Abu Talib and Hadrat Khadijah, whose personal influence had been conducive to the support of two great families of the Quraish. However, when in the tenth year of Prophethood these two persons died, the fourth stage began with such revere persecutions as forced the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and all his Companions to emigrate from Makkah.
It appears from the theme of the Surah that it was revealed at the beginning of the third stage when in spite of persecutions and opposition, migration to Habash had not yet taken place. That is why the story of “Ashab-i-Kahf” (the Sleepers of the Cave) has been related to comforting and encouraging the persecuted Muslims and showing them how the righteous people have been saving their Faith in the past.
Subject and Topics
This Surah was sent down in answer to the three questions that the mushriks of Makkah, in consultation with the people of the Book, had put to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to test him. These were:
(1) Who were “the Sleepers of’ the Cave”?
(2) What is the real story of Khidr? and
(3) What do you know about Zul- Qarnain?
As these three questions and the stories involved concerned the history of the Christians and the Jews and were unknown in Hijaz, a choice of these was made to test whether the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) possessed any source of knowledge of the hidden and unseen things.
Allah, however, not only gave a complete answer to their questions but also employed the three stories to the disadvantage of the opponents of Islam in the conflict that was going on at that time at Makkah between Islam and unbelief:
1. The questioners were told that “the Sleepers of the Cave” believed in the same doctrine of Tauhid that was being put forward in the Qur’an and that their condition was similar to the condition of the persecuted Muslims of Makkah. On the other hand, the persecutors of the Sleepers of the Cave had behaved in the same way towards them as the disbelievers of the Quraish were behaving towards the Muslims. Besides this, the Muslims have been taught that even if a Believer is persecuted by a cruel society, he should not bow down before falsehood but emigrate from the place all alone, if need be, with trust in God. Incidentally, the disbelievers of Makkah were told that the story of the Sleepers of the Cave was clear proof of the creed of the Hereafter, for this showed that Allah has the power to resurrect anyone He wills even after a long sleep of death as He did in case of the Sleepers of the Cave.
2. The story of the Sleepers of the Cave has also been used to warn the chiefs of Makkah who were persecuting the small newly formed Muslim Community. At the same time, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has been instructed that he should in no case make a compromise with their persecutors nor should he consider them to be more important than his poor followers. On the other hand, those chiefs have been admonished that they should not be puffed up with the transitory life of pleasure they were then enjoying but should seek after those excellences which are permanent and eternal.
3. The story of Khidr and Moses has been related in such a way as to supply the answer to the question of the disbelievers and to give comfort to the Believers as well. The lesson contained in this story is this “You should have full faith in the wisdom of what is happening in the Divine Factory in accordance with the will of Allah. As the reality is hidden from you, you are at a loss to understand the wisdom of what is happening, and sometimes if it appears that things are going against you, you cry out, ‘How and why has this happened’. The fact is that if the curtain is removed from the “unseen”, you would yourselves come to know that what is happening here is for the best. Even if sometimes it appears that something is going against you, you will see that in the end it also produces some good results for you.
4. The same is true of the story of Zul-Qarnain for it also admonishes the questioners, as if to say, “O you vain chiefs of Makkah you should learn a lesson from Zul-Qarnain. Though he was a great ruler, a great conqueror, and the owner of great resources, he always surrendered to his Creator, whereas you are rebelling against Him even though you are insignificant chieftains in comparison with him. Besides this, though Zul-Qarnain built one of the strongest walls for protection, yet his real trust was in Allah and not in the “wall”. He believed that the wall could protect him against his enemies as long as it was the will of Allah and that there would be cracks and holes in it when it would be His will: whereas you who possess only insignificant fortified abodes and dwellings in comparison with him, consider yourselves to be permanently safe and secure against all sorts of calamities.”
While the Qur’an turned the tables on the questioners who had tried to “expose” the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), at the end of the Surah the same things have been reiterated that were stated at its beginning: “Tauhid and the Hereafter are absolutely true and real and for your own good you should accept these doctrines, mend your ways in accordance with them and live in this world with this conviction that you are accountable to Allah: otherwise you shall ruin your life and all your doings shall be set at naught.”
Oh ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!
Historical Background Of Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah
Ibn ‘Abbas said: ‘Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) brought Hajar, his wife, and her son Isma’il (peace be upon them), whom she was still nursing, and left them at (the site of) the House of Allah under a tree above the Zamzam. Makkah at that time was a place where there was neither water nor any dweller. He left a bag of dates and a container of water for them. Then Ibrahim (peace be upon him) turned to go away. Isma’il’s mother said to him, “O Ibrahim! Where are you going? And who are you leaving us to in this valley without a companion or a thing?” She repeated this several times but he did not respond. At last, she asked him, “Has Allah commanded you to do so?” He answered, “Yes.” Thereupon she said, “Then He will not let us perish!” (Bukhari) In another narration, we
read: “She asked him, ‘Who are you leaving us to?’ He answered, ‘To Allah’ where she responded, ‘I am satisfied,’ and turned back.”
Ibrahim left and when he reached a mountain pass where he could no longer see them, he turned his face toward the Kaaba and with his hands raised, supplicated, “O Our Lord! I have made of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation by your Sacred House; Our Lord, that they may establish regular prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits, so that they may give thanks!” (Qur’an 14.37)
Hajar sat under the tree with her baby next to her. She drank from her water container hanging nearby, and nursed her baby, until all the water she had was gone, and her milk dried out. Her son grew hungrier and hungrier. She could hardly bear to look at him. She went and stood at Safa – the hill nearest to her. She looked down the valley to see if someone was around to help. She could see no one. So, she climbed down Safa and reached the valley. She struggled hard, crossed the valley, and reached Marwah. She stood on Marwah and looked around. Still, she could see no one around. She repeated this seven times. Ibn ‘Abbas added, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘It is (to commemorate this walk) that pilgrims walk between Safa and Marwah.”‘
Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 5.85