His statement, “he then ascends it,” means that he ascends Safa until he can see the Ka‘bah,⦗1⦘ then faces it. Its apparent meaning is that he should not ascend beyond that; but if he fears the crowding and ascends higher, that is good.

He says “Allahu akbar” three times and recites the reported supplication, then descends, walking, to the first marker, after which he hastens intensely to the other marker …

His statement, “He says ‘Allahu akbar’ three times and recites the reported supplication,” means that he says, “Allahu akbar,” three times while raising his hands as one raises them in supplication. He then recites the reported remembrance, including: “There is no god worthy of worship but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs all dominion, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is capable of all things. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.” He then supplicates for whatever he wishes, repeats the remembrance a second time, then supplicates for whatever he wishes, and then repeats the remembrance a third time,⦗2⦘ before descending towards Marwah.

His statement, “then descends, walking, to the first marker”: a marker is something set up as a sign, a prominent and clear object. A mountain is therefore called an ‘alam (marker). Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“And His are the ships, raised high upon the sea like mountains.” [al-Rahman: 24]

There was a green pillar at this place, and it remains there to this day, though it has become more distinct because of the lights surrounding this area.

His statement, “to the first marker,” means the one nearest to Safa, for there are two markers: a southern marker and a northern marker. The one nearest Safa is the southern one, while the one nearest Marwah is the northern one.

His statement, “then hastens intensely to the other,”: “intensely” is an adjective describing an omitted noun.