It is reported from Jubayr, on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās, that he said:

The very first time women wore a waist-wrap (1) was because of Ishmael’s mother. She fastened one around herself in order to conceal her footprints from Sarah. Abraham then set out with her and her suckling son Ishmael until he placed them beside the House—under a large tree (2) located above Zamzam at the upper part of the mosque. In those days there was not a single soul in Mecca, nor did it contain any water. He left them there with a leather sack filled with dates and a water-skin (3), and then Abraham turned away and departed.

Ishmael’s mother followed him and said, “O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no human being and nothing at all?” She repeated her words several times, but he did not turn toward her. She then asked, “Has Allah commanded you to do this?” He replied, “Yes.” She said, “Then He will not abandon us,” and she went back.

Abraham continued on until, when he reached the mountain pass where they could no longer see him, he faced the House, raised his hands, and offered this plea:

“Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide them with fruits, that they might give thanks.” (Qur’an 14:37)

The mother of Ishmael nursed her child and drank from the water until the water-skin ran dry. She became thirsty, and so did her son. Watching him writhe—or, he said, flail—she could not bear the sight, so she set off. The nearest hill to her was al-Ṣafā, so she climbed it, faced the valley, and looked to see whether she could spot anyone, but saw no one. She descended from al-Ṣafā, and when she reached the valley floor she lifted the hem of her dress and hurried with the earnest pace of one in distress. After crossing the valley she came to al-Marwah, climbed it, and looked again, but saw no one. She repeated this seven times.

Ibn ʿAbbās said: The Prophet ﷺ remarked, “For that reason people perform saʿy between them.” (6)

When she reached al-Marwah she heard a voice. She said, “Hush!”—speaking to herself—and listened. Hearing it again, she said, “You have made yourself heard; if you have any help to give, then help!” There she saw the angel at the location of Zamzam. He struck the ground with his heel—or, he said, with his wing—until the water appeared. She formed a basin around it (7), scooping the water into her skin with her hand in this manner, and the spring continued to bubble up even as she drew from it.