Reflections on sa’ee: A mother’s energy, trust in Allah and the legacy of Hajar


by Samia Ahmed
The journey of Umrah is deeply spiritual, physically demanding at times, and emotionally enriching. It is a microcosm of life itself, filled with moments of joy, struggle, and deep reflection. Alhamdulillah, my recent Umrah was all of this and more, particularly during the Sa’ee, the ritual of walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa, in remembrance of Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), the revered wife of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Her story, as I discovered anew through my own experience, is a timeless testament to the strength of a mother’s love, the depth of her sacrifice, and the firm trust she placed in Allah.
Reflecting on the Sa’ee, I was reminded of the verse:
“Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So, whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:158)
This act, mandated in the Quran, carries the memory of Hajar’s solid faith and relentless efforts, a woman alone in the vastness of the desert yet sustained by her unshakable trust in Allah.
The day of my Umrah had already been long. Completing the Tawaf in a crowd that rivalled the busiest moments of Hajj took nearly six hours. By the time I reached the Sa’ee, my body was weary, and my mind yearned for rest. Yet, what I experienced next became a moment of reflection and growth.
As I ran between Safa and Marwa, in the spirit of Hajar seeking water for her thirsty son, Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), I lost sight of my daughter and niece. For that moment, panic gripped my heart, but the voice of faith silently spoke to me: Trust in Allah, all will be well. The vastness of the crowd, the echoes of footsteps and duas, and my own exhaustion overwhelmed me. In that moment, I felt a fraction of the desperation Hajar must have endured as she searched the barren desert for sustenance, not knowing where relief would come from but trusting wholly in the mercy of Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) reminded us of this reliance on Allah when he said:
“If you rely upon Allah with true reliance, He will provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with empty stomachs and return full in the evening.” (Tirmidhi)
During my search, I had to complete two additional laps of Sa’ee. The additional effort felt almost insurmountable at first. My legs ached, my feet were sore, and my throat was parched. Every step required more strength than I thought I had left. But as I pushed through those final laps, something extraordinary happened. I felt a renewed surge of energy, not physical, but emotional and spiritual. It was as though the needs of my child became my driving force. I understood, in that small moment, how a mother’s energy comes from the love she carries for her child.
After finally locating my daughter and niece, thanks to two wonderfully good-hearted women and a very helpful policeman, my heart was filled with gratitude.
This experience made me marvel anew at the story of Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her). Alone in the vast desert with her infant son, she had no reason to believe relief was near, yet she ran tirelessly between Safa and Marwa in search of water. Her solid faith in Allah, even in the face of unimaginable hardship, was ultimately rewarded with the miracle of Zamzam, a well that continues to flow to this day.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“May Allah have mercy on the mother of Ismail. If she had left the Zamzam (water) alone, (without trying to contain it), it would have been a flowing spring.” (Bukhari)
Through my brief moment of confusion and exhaustion, I felt connected to her struggle in a way I never had before. My modern conveniences and temporary discomforts paled in comparison to her trials, yet they opened my heart to her strength and the profound trust in Allah that carried her through. She did not know where help would come from, yet she persisted, driven by the urgency of her son’s need and her unshakable faith. And then, with Allah’s grace, relief came in the form of a gushing spring—something beyond what one could ever imagine. This was not merely water to quench their immediate thirst but the beginning of an everlasting blessing for the entire Ummah.
“When Hajar ran between Safa and Marwa, she looked for water while trusting in Allah to provide. Each time she climbed the hill, her hope renewed, and Allah eventually provided Zamzam.” (Sahih Muslim)
The Sa’ee embodies hope and persistence, even in the most trying moments.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighted the origin of Sa’ee and its importance:
“When she (Hajar) reached Al-Marwa (for the seventh time), she heard a voice and said to herself, ‘Shh!’ Then she heard the voice again and said, ‘You have made me hear you, so if you can help, do so.’ And lo and behold, it was Angel Jibreel, digging the earth with his heel until water gushed out.” (Bukhari)
As I completed my Sa’ee, I reflected on the lessons I’d take home from this experience. Life is often a series of unanswered questions and unseen outcomes. We find ourselves running between the “hills” of our own challenges, unsure of when or how relief will arrive. Yet, the story of Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) teaches us that trust in Allah’s plan is the key to navigating uncertainty. Relief may not always come in the form we expect, but it will come, in His time and in His way.
The Quran beautifully reassures us:
“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” (Surat at-Talaq 65:3)
This reflective episode of my Umrah reminded me of the greatness of our revered women, like Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), whose legacy continues to inspire us today. It also deepened my understanding of what it means to be a mother: to give, to sacrifice, and to trust—even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Just as Hajar’s faith was rewarded, so too must we place our trust in Allah, knowing that He is the ultimate Provider and Sustainer.
To every mother, every seeker, and every believer running their own Sa’ee through life, may you find strength in the story of Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her). May you draw inspiration from her trust and perseverance, and may you always find your own Zamzam when you need it most.
May Allah accept our Umrah, grant us strength in our challenges, and invite us all to the best place on Earth. Ameen
Jan 2025
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