If you are preparing for Umrah, you may be wondering which Safa Marwa dua you should memorise before performing Sa’i.
The most important thing to know is simple: there is no separate compulsory dua for each of the seven rounds between Safa and Marwa.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught specific remembrance when reaching Safa and Marwa, but while walking between the two hills you may make personal dua, remember Allah, recite Qur’an, ask for forgiveness or pray for anything good in this life and the Hereafter.
That means you do not need to carry a booklet containing a different dua for round 1, round 2 and so on.
In this guide, we explain what to recite at Safa, what to say at Marwa, what you can read while walking, how to count the seven rounds correctly and some common mistakes to avoid.
What Is Sa’i Between Safa and Marwa?
Sa’i is the act of travelling seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa inside Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
It forms an essential part of Umrah, alongside the wider process covered in our full step-by-step Umrah guide.
Allah mentions Safa and Marwa in Surah Al-Baqarah:
Arabic:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration:
Innaṣ-ṣafā wal-marwata min sha’ā’irillāh.
Meaning:
Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.
The full verse is Qur’an 2:158 and directly connects the two hills with Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also describes Sa’i as one of the rites of Umrah and confirms that it begins at Safa, consists of seven laps and finishes at Marwa.
Is There a Specific Dua for Safa and Marwa?
There is authentic remembrance from the Sunnah to recite when standing at Safa and Marwa.
However, there is no authentic evidence assigning a different dua to every individual round of Sa’i.
This distinction is important.
Some dua books label prayers as:
- Dua for first round
- Dua for second round
- Dua for third round
- Dua for fourth round
- Dua for fifth round
- Dua for sixth round
- Dua for seventh round
You may certainly make those duas if their meanings are good. The problem comes when someone believes those exact duas are required for those particular rounds.
They are not.
Islamic guidance on Sa’i specifically warns against treating a particular supplication as prescribed for every circuit when this was not reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
So do not become anxious if you cannot memorise a long dua list.
Sa’i gives you plenty of opportunity to make sincere personal dua.
What Should You Recite When You First Reach Safa?
After completing Tawaf and proceeding towards Safa, begin your Sa’i from Safa.
As you approach Safa for the first time, recite:
Arabic:
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration:
Innaṣ-ṣafā wal-marwata min sha’ā’irillāh.
Then say:
Arabic:
أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Transliteration:
Abda’u bimā bada’Allāhu bih.
Meaning:
I begin with what Allah began with.
The wording comes from the description of the Prophet’s ﷺ pilgrimage recorded in Sahih Muslim.
An important detail many guides miss is that the Qur’anic verse is associated with beginning Sa’i at Safa. It is not necessary to repeat the verse every time you arrive at Safa or Marwa.
What Is the Sunnah Dua at Safa?
Once at Safa, face towards the Qiblah if possible, praise Allah, say the takbir and remember Him.
The well-known dhikr reported from the Prophet ﷺ includes:
Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ
لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ
أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
Transliteration:
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd, wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa naṣara ‘abdah, wa hazamal-aḥzāba waḥdah.
In simple English, it praises Allah as the only One worthy of worship, without partner, acknowledges that all sovereignty and praise belong to Him, and remembers His fulfilment of His promise and support for His servant.
After this remembrance, make your own dua.
The narration describes the Prophet ﷺ making supplication between repetitions of the remembrance.
This is a valuable moment to slow down rather than immediately beginning the walk.
Ask Allah for what matters most to you.
What Personal Duas Can I Make at Safa?
There is no requirement for your personal dua to be in Arabic.
You can ask Allah in English, Urdu or whichever language allows you to express yourself sincerely.
For example, you may make dua for:
- forgiveness of your sins
- acceptance of your Umrah
- stronger faith
- guidance and steadfastness
- your parents
- your spouse and children
- good health
- halal provision
- relief from difficulties
- protection from harm
- deceased relatives
- the wider Muslim community
- Jannah and protection from the Fire
Preparing a short personal dua list before travelling from the UK can actually be very useful.
Once you enter the busy environment of Masjid al-Haram, it is easy to forget things you had intended to ask for.
Keep the list on your phone or memorise a few important requests.
What Should You Recite While Walking From Safa to Marwa?
You do not have to recite one particular dua throughout the journey from Safa to Marwa.
While walking, you can:
- make personal dua
- say SubhanAllah
- say Alhamdulillah
- say Allahu Akbar
- say La ilaha illallah
- make istighfar
- send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ
- recite Qur’an that you know
- quietly remember Allah
- reflect on your life and purpose of Umrah
If you forget every prepared dua, that does not mean your Sa’i is ruined.
Continue walking and remember Allah in whatever words you know.
There is no authentic requirement to read from a particular dua booklet during each lap.
Can I Make Dua in English During Sa’i?
Yes.
You do not need to restrict personal supplications to Arabic simply because you are performing Umrah.
If English is the language in which you can best explain your worries, hopes and gratitude, use English for your personal dua.
Memorising authentic Arabic dhikr is valuable, but personal supplication should not become a pronunciation test.
Do not spend your entire Sa’i staring at your phone because you are frightened of missing a particular sentence.
Understand what you are saying and remain present in the act of worship.
What Should Men Do Between the Green Lights?
During Sa’i there is a marked section between green indicators.
Men should move at a quicker pace through this section when they are physically able to do so.
Women continue walking normally.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah lists quicker movement during Sa’i as a Sunnah practice for men.
There is no need to push past other pilgrims or put yourself or somebody else in danger to do it.
If the area is crowded, elderly pilgrims are nearby, or you have a health or mobility limitation, behave safely and considerately — see our note on wheelchair assistance at the Haram if this applies to you or someone travelling with you.
What Dua Do You Read When You Reach Marwa?
When you arrive at Marwa, you have completed the first round of Sa’i.
At Marwa, face towards the Qiblah where practical and repeat the remembrance and personal supplication performed at Safa.
The authentic description of the Prophet’s ﷺ Sa’i states that he did at Marwa what he had done at Safa.
There is one useful difference to remember:
The Qur’anic verse beginning “Innaṣ-ṣafā wal-marwata…” is associated with approaching Safa at the beginning of Sa’i. You do not need to treat it as a formula that must be repeated at every arrival.
How Do You Count the Seven Rounds of Safa and Marwa?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for first-time pilgrims.
Safa to Marwa counts as one complete round.
You do not have to walk from Safa to Marwa and back again for it to count as one.
Use this simple sequence:
| Round | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Safa → Marwa |
| 2 | Marwa → Safa |
| 3 | Safa → Marwa |
| 4 | Marwa → Safa |
| 5 | Safa → Marwa |
| 6 | Marwa → Safa |
| 7 | Safa → Marwa |
Therefore:
You start at Safa and finish the seventh round at Marwa.
The current Saudi Umrah guidance confirms the same counting method.
If you are worried about losing count, use your fingers, a small counter or a simple note on your phone.
Is There a Safa Marwa Dua for All 7 Rounds?
There is no prescribed seven-round dua sequence from the Sunnah.
You may therefore organise your personal prayers in any way that helps you.
For example, someone might personally decide to focus on:
Round 1: repentance and forgiveness
Round 2: parents and family
Round 3: guidance and faith
Round 4: health and wellbeing
Round 5: provision and future decisions
Round 6: the Muslim Ummah
Round 7: Jannah and acceptance of Umrah
That is perfectly different from claiming that Islam has assigned those duas to those particular rounds.
Think of this as a personal dua plan, not a religiously prescribed formula.
That distinction helps pilgrims remain organised without adding rules to Sa’i that are not established in the Sunnah.
Do I Need Wudu to Perform Sa’i?
It is good to remain in a state of wudu during worship whenever possible.
However, wudu should not be presented as an absolute condition for Sa’i in the same way many pilgrims assume.
Classical guidance distinguishes Sa’i from Tawaf in this respect, and Islamic guidance notes that ablution is preferable rather than a condition for Sa’i.
This can be particularly reassuring if your wudu breaks after you have completed Tawaf and begun Sa’i.
If you are unsure because of a particular circumstance or follow a specific school of Islamic jurisprudence, ask a trusted scholar before travelling.
Can a Woman Perform Sa’i During Her Period?
There is an important distinction between Tawaf and the other Hajj and Umrah rites.
In the well-known hadith of Aishah (RA), the Prophet ﷺ instructed her to perform the pilgrimage rites but not Tawaf around the Kaaba until she became pure.
For an individual Umrah situation, the sequence of Tawaf and Sa’i can matter, so women facing this situation should seek reliable scholarly guidance based on exactly when menstruation began and which rites have already been completed — our related answer on what to do if you get your period during Umrah covers the wider practical picture.
This is better than relying on a short social-media answer because circumstances differ.
Can You Stop and Rest During Sa’i?
Sa’i is worship, not a race.
If you are elderly, travelling with children, using mobility assistance or simply become tired, you can pause when necessary see our guides on Umrah for elderly pilgrims and can children perform Umrah if you’re planning a family trip.
Try to avoid blocking the walking route and remain aware of the large number of pilgrims moving around you.
The aim is to complete the seven journeys correctly, not to finish them faster than everybody else.
For UK pilgrims who are not accustomed to long periods of walking in warmer conditions, building up your walking stamina before travelling can make Tawaf and Sa’i considerably easier see our note on how much walking is involved during Umrah to know what to prepare for.
Do You Raise Your Hands for Dua at Safa and Marwa?
When standing at Safa and Marwa, you can raise your hands as you normally would while making dua.
Do not confuse this with the hand position used when beginning Salah.
The purpose is supplication.
Face the Qiblah as well as you reasonably can, remember Allah and make your dua without disrupting the movement of other pilgrims.
What Happens After the Seventh Round of Sa’i?
Your seventh round ends at Marwa.
After completing Sa’i, you can make further dua and thank Allah for allowing you to complete this stage of Umrah.
The next step is shaving or shortening the hair according to the rules applicable to you.
Saudi Ministry guidance confirms that the seventh lap finishes at Marwa and that shaving or shortening the hair follows Sa’i as part of completing Umrah.
Do not assume that simply reaching Marwa automatically ends every restriction of Ihram before completing the required hair cutting or shortening.
The Story Behind Safa and Marwa
Sa’i is much more than travelling backwards and forwards through a building.
Its meaning is connected with Hajar (AS), the mother of Ismail (AS).
She was left with her young son in the barren valley of Makkah and searched desperately for water, moving between Safa and Marwa.
Allah eventually provided Zamzam.
For pilgrims today, that history changes the way Sa’i feels.
You are walking through a story of effort followed by reliance upon Allah.
Hajar did not remain still while waiting for help. She searched, moved and tried while depending upon Allah.
That is one of the most powerful lessons a pilgrim can carry home after Umrah:
Tawakkul does not mean doing nothing.
A believer makes the effort available to them and places the outcome with Allah.
Common Safa and Marwa Mistakes to Avoid
Thinking Safa to Marwa and back is one round
It is actually two.
Safa to Marwa is round one. Marwa back to Safa is round two.
Looking for a compulsory dua for every round
There is no prescribed separate dua for all seven rounds.
Make authentic dhikr and personal dua instead.
Starting Sa’i from Marwa
Sa’i begins at Safa.
Repeating the opening Qur’anic verse at every round
The verse is recited when approaching Safa at the beginning of Sa’i. It does not have to become a repeated formula at both ends of all seven laps.
Men running the entire distance
The quicker pace is associated with the marked section, not the whole journey between Safa and Marwa.
Women feeling they must run between the green markers
Women can continue at their normal walking pace for more on the specific rules that apply to women during Umrah, see our Ihram rules for women guide.
Concentrating more on the phone than the worship
A dua list can help, but do not allow scrolling through pages of transliteration to occupy your entire Sa’i.
Making loud group duas
Be considerate of pilgrims around you.
You can supplicate quietly without turning Sa’i into a group recitation that distracts others.
A Simple Safa Marwa Dua Routine for First-Time Pilgrims
If all the information feels difficult to remember, use this simple routine:
At the beginning near Safa:
Recite the Qur’anic words about Safa and Marwa and begin with what Allah began with.
While standing at Safa:
Face the Qiblah, praise Allah, recite the established dhikr and make personal dua.
While walking:
Make whatever good dua you wish. Use dhikr, istighfar, Qur’an or personal supplication.
At Marwa:
Repeat the remembrance and make personal dua.
Continue:
Count each one-way journey as one round.
Finish:
Your seventh round finishes at Marwa.
That is much easier than trying to memorise seven pages of different supplications.
Final Thoughts
The best Safa Marwa dua guide is not necessarily the one containing the largest number of prayers.
It is the one that helps you understand what is established in the Sunnah and what has been left open for personal supplication.
Remember these three points:
There is no compulsory separate dua for each of the seven rounds.
There is authentic remembrance to say at Safa and Marwa.
Between the two hills, you have freedom to remember Allah and make sincere personal dua.
Prepare a few important duas before your journey, learn the basic Sunnah wording and understand how to count your rounds correctly.
Then, during Sa’i, give yourself space to worship rather than worrying about whether you have memorised every word.
For pilgrims travelling from the UK, good preparation before departure can make the entire Umrah journey easier. Alongside learning the rituals, make sure you understand your Umrah visa requirements, what to pack, your accommodation, transport and the practical requirements of your trip so that once you reach Makkah, you can concentrate on your worship.
Planning your Umrah trip? Get a tailored quote through Beat a Quote, or contact us if you have questions about the rituals, your visa, or choosing the right package before you book.
FAQs About Safa Marwa Dua and Sa’i
What dua should I read between Safa and Marwa?
There is no single compulsory dua for the walk between Safa and Marwa. You may make personal supplications, perform dhikr, recite Qur’an, ask for forgiveness or pray for anything good.
Is there a different Safa Marwa dua for all seven rounds?
No authentic Sunnah assigns a different dua to each of the seven rounds. You may personally organise different duas by round, but you should not consider that arrangement obligatory or Sunnah.
What do I say when I reach Safa?
When beginning Sa’i, recite the Qur’anic words mentioning Safa and Marwa, say that you begin with what Allah began with, then face the Qiblah, remember Allah and make dua.
What should I say at Marwa?
At Marwa, repeat the remembrance and supplication performed at Safa. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have done at Marwa what he had done at Safa.
Can I make Safa Marwa dua in English?
Yes. Personal dua can be made in a language you understand. British pilgrims who express themselves more naturally in English can make sincere personal supplications in English while performing Sa’i.
Does Safa to Marwa count as one round?
Yes. Safa to Marwa is round one, while Marwa back to Safa is round two. Continue in this way until round seven finishes at Marwa.
