—the make-up umrah—some people who, before Islam, had gone between them in veneration of two idols that stood upon them became apprehensive. They said: ‘How can we go between them when we know that venerating idols and whatever is worshipped besides Allah constitutes associating partners with Allah?’ So Allah Most High revealed: ‘Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. Whoever makes hajj to the House or performs umrah incurs no blame by going between them.’ [Al-Baqara: 158]”

That is, although the polytheists went between them for the sake of the two idols upon them, in disbelief in Allah, you go between them out of faith in Allah, belief in His messengers, and obedience to your Lord. Thus, you incur no blame—that is, no sin—by going between them.

It is related that al-Sha‘bī said: In the pre-Islamic period, an idol called Isāf stood upon Safa, and another called Nā’ilah stood upon Marwah. When the people of that time circumambulated the House, they would rub their hands over the two idols. When Islam came and the idols were destroyed, the Muslims said: “People only went between Safa and Marwah because of the two idols, so going between them is not one of the sacred rites.” Allah Most High then revealed that they are among the sacred rites.

This resembles the report in al-Muwatta’ from ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, who said:

“I said to ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, while I was still young: ‘How do you understand the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. Whoever makes hajj to the House or performs umrah incurs no blame by going between them”? [Al-Baqara: 158] Surely a man incurs no blame if he does not go between them.’

“‘Ā’ishah replied: ‘No! If it meant what you say, it would have said: “He incurs no blame by not going between them.” This verse was revealed concerning those of the Ansār who used to invoke Manāt when beginning their pilgrimage. Manāt stood near Qudayd, and they felt it wrong to go between Safa and Marwah. When Islam came, they asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about this, so Allah, Mighty and Majestic, revealed: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. Whoever makes hajj to the House or performs umrah incurs no blame by going between them.” [Al-Baqara: 158]’”

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The origin of going between Safa and Marwah during hajj is explained in the authentic hadith:

“When Abraham, peace be upon him, left his son Ishmael with his mother in Mecca while he was still a nursing infant, their water ran out. She and her child became thirsty, and she watched him writhing—or, as she said, tossing about. Unable to bear looking at him, she set off [and found Safa to be the nearest mountain. She climbed it, then faced the valley, looking to see whether anyone was there, but she saw no one. She descended from Safa, and when she reached the valley, she lifted the hem of