Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) · The Statement of Allah "Verily! A-afã and Al-Marwa (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah..." (V.2:158)
Narrated `Urwa:
I said to `Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, "How do you interpret the
Statement of Allah:
"Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah."
So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to
ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf)
between them." `Aisha said, "Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been:
"So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf)
between them.' This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic
Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid
(i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and Marwa after
embracing Islam. When Islam came, they asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it, whereupon Allah revealed:--
"Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not
harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate
(Tawaf) between them." (2.158)
Narrated `Asim bin Sulaiman:
I asked Anas bin Malik about Safa and Marwa. Anas replied, "We used to consider (i.e. going around)
them a custom of the Pre-islamic period of Ignorance, so when Islam came, we gave up going…
Narrated Hisham Ibn `Urwa from his father who said:
While I was a youngster, I asked `Aisha the wife of the Prophet. "What about the meaning of the
Statement of Allah;
"Verily! (the mountains) As-Safa and Al Marwa, are…
Narrated Az-Zuhri:
that 'Urqah said: "I said to 'Aishah: 'I do not see anything wrong if someone does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, nor any harm if I do not go between them.' She said: 'How horrible is what you h…
Narrated 'Asim Al-Ahwal:
"I asked Anas bin Malik about As-Safa and Al-Marwah, and he said: 'They were among the rites of Jahiliyyah.' He said: 'So during Islam, we refrained from them, then Allah, Blessed and Most High,…
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
"When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived in Makkah, performing Tawaf around the House seven times, I heard him reciting: And take the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer (2:125). So he per…
Jabir narrated:
"When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived in Makkah, he entered the Masjid and touched the (Black) Stone, then went to his right and performed Raml (walking quickly) for three (circuits) and walking for four. Then he…