Then Abraham turned to leave, and the mother of Ishmael followed after him, saying, “Abraham, where are you going, leaving us in this valley in which there is neither companion nor anything at all?” She repeated this several times, but he did not look back at her. She then asked, “Did Allah command you to do this?” He replied, “Yes.” She said, “Then He will never let us perish,” and she returned.

Abraham, peace be upon him, went on until, when he reached the mountain pass out of their sight, he faced the House, raised his hands, and prayed in these words:
“Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in a valley without cultivation, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish the prayer; so make some hearts among the people incline toward them and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks” (Q 14:37).

Meanwhile the mother of Ishmael kept nursing him and drinking from the water. When the waterskin was emptied, she became thirsty, and so did her son. She watched him writhing—or, he said, flailing—and could not bear to look at him. She set off, and the hill of Ṣafā was the nearest rise. She climbed it, faced the valley, and looked out to see whether she could spot anyone, but saw no one. She descended from Ṣafā; on reaching the bottom of the valley she lifted the hem of her dress and ran like an exhausted person until she had crossed the valley. She reached Marwa, climbed it, and looked again; she saw no one. She did this seven times.

Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “That is why people perform the saʿy between them.”

When she reached the last ascent on Marwa she heard a voice. She said to herself, “Hush!” Then she listened again and heard it once more. She said, “I have heard you—if you have relief to give, then help us!” She then saw an angel at the spot of Zamzam, striking the ground with his heel—or, he said, with his wing.