This ambiguity arising from later usage has led many people to misunderstand the language of revelation. The word “striving” is a case in point: originally, it encompasses any going or proceeding, and this is the striving commanded in the Quran. One of its two forms may then be given the distinct name “walking,” leaving “striving” restricted to the other. This is the striving that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prohibited when he said:

“When the call to begin the prayer is given, do not come to it running; come to it walking.”

It is reported that ʿUmar used to recite, “Proceed,” and would say, “Had I recited it as ‘strive,’ I would have run until such-and-such happened.” If this report from him is authentic, it would mean that he understood the word “striving” in its restricted sense.

A similar example is the striving between al-Safā and al-Marwah. One jogs only along the valley floor between the two markers, and the term “striving” is used specifically for this. It may also be applied broadly to the entire passage back and forth between al-Safā and al-Marwah. This, however, appears to be because part of it constitutes striving in the restricted sense. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

“Some people hasten to the pillars ahead of others, before the rows have been completed, and take places for themselves apart from the row. Is it permissible to remain behind the first row?”