While I was a youngster, I asked ʿAisha the wife of the Prophet. "What about the meaning of the Statement of Allah; "Verily! (the mountains) As-Safa and Al Marwa, are among the symbols of Allah. So, it is not harmful if those who perform Hajj or ʿUmra of the House (Kaʿba at Mecca) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them? (2.158) I understand (from that) that there is no harm if somebody does not perform the Tawaf between them." ʿAisha replied, "No, for if it were as you are saying, then the recitation would have been like this: 'It is not harmful not to perform Tawaf between them.' This verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who used to assume the Ihram for the idol Manat which was put beside a place called Qudaid and those people thought it not right to perform the Tawaf of As- Safa and Al-Marwa. When Islam came, they asked Messenger of Allah ﷺ about that, and Allah revealed:-- "Verily! (the mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa Are among the symbols of Allah. So, it is not harmful of those who perform Hajj or ʿUmra of the House (Kaʿba at Mecca) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them." (2.158) Sufyan and Abu Muawiya added from Hisham (from ʿAisha): "The Hajj or ʿUmra of the person who does not perform the going (Tawaf) between As-Safa and Al-Marwa is incomplete in Allah's sight.  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ ؓ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} فَلاَ أُرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلاَّ لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} زَادَ سُفْيَانُ وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ مَا أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ حَجَّ امْرِئٍ وَلاَ عُمْرَتَهُ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ  

I said to Aishah, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, "How do you interpret the Statement of Allah: "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah." So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." ʿAisha said, "Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been: "So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.' This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid (i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and Marwa after embracing Islam. When Islam came, they asked Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it, whereupon Allah revealed:-- "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." (2.158)  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} فَمَا أُرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلاَّ لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا}  

I think if a person does not run between al- Safa' and al-Marwa, It does not do any harm to him (so far as Hajj is concerned). She said: Why (do you think so)? I said: For Allah says:" Verily al-Safa' and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah" (ii. 158) (to the end of the verse), whereupon she said: Allah does not complete the Hajj of a person or his Umra if he does not observe Sa'i between al-Safa' and al-marwa; and if it were so as you state, then (the wording would have been (fala janah an la yatufu biha) [" There is no harm for him if he does not circumambulate between them']. Do you know in what context (this verse was revealed)? (It was revealed in this context) that the Ansar in the Days of Ignorance pronounced the Talbiya for two idols. (fixedl on the bank of the river which were called Isaf and Na'ila. The people went there, and then circumambulated between al-Safa' and al-Marwa and then got their heads shaved. With the advent of Islam they (the Muslims) did not like to circumambulate between them as they used to do during the Days of Ignorance. It was on account of this that Allah. the Exalted and Majestic, revealed:" Verily al-Safe and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah" to the end of the verse. She said: Then people began to observe Sa'i.  

قُلْتُ لَهَا إِنِّي لأَظُنُّ رَجُلاً لَوْ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ مَا ضَرَّهُ قَالَتْ لِمَ قُلْتُ لأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ فَقَالَتْ مَا أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ حَجَّ امْرِئٍ وَلاَ عُمْرَتَهُ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَلَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَهَلْ تَدْرِي فِيمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ أَنَّ الأَنْصَارَ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ لِصَنَمَيْنِ عَلَى شَطِّ الْبَحْرِ يُقَالُ لَهُمَا إِسَافٌ وَنَائِلَةٌ ثُمَّ يَجِيئُونَ فَيَطُوفُونَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ ثُمَّ يَحْلِقُونَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ كَرِهُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَهُمَا لِلَّذِي كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} إِلَى آخِرِهَا قَالَتْ فَطَافُوا  

I said to 'A'isha: I do not see any harm to me if I do not circumambulate betweez al-Safa' and al-Marwa. She said: On what ground do you say so? (I said: ) Since Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, says:" Verily al-Safa' and al-Marwa are among the Signs of Allah." It (your assertion) were (correct), it would have been said like this:" There is no harm for him, that he should not circumambulate between them." It (this verse) has been revealed about the people of Ansar. Whenever they pronounced the Talbiya, they pronounced it in the name of al-Manat during the Days of Ignorance; so they (thought) that it was not permissible for them (for the Muslims) to circumambulate between and al-Marwa. When they (the Muslims) came with Allah's Apostle (may peace he upon him) for Hajj, they mentioned it to him. So Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, revealed this verse. By my life, Allah will not complete the Hajj of one who has not circumambulated between al-Safa and al-Marwa.  

قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا أَرَى عَلَىَّ جُنَاحًا أَنْ لاَ أَتَطَوَّفَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ قَالَتْ لِمَ قُلْتُ لأَنَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ يَقُولُ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} الآيَةَ فَقَالَتْ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ هَذَا فِي أُنَاسٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا إِذَا أَهَلُّوا أَهَلُّوا لِمَنَاةَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلاَ يَحِلُّ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمُوا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِلْحَجِّ ذَكَرُوا ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى هَذِهِ الآيَةَ فَلَعَمْرِي مَا أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ حَجَّ مَنْ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ  

"I asked Aishah about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: 'So it sin not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (as-Safa and Al-Marwah) and (I said): 'By Allah, there is no sin on anyone if he does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.' Aishah said: 'What a bad thing you said, O son of my brother! If this Ayah was as you have interpreted it, there would be no sin on a person if he did not go between them. But it was revealed concering the Ansar. Before they accepted Islam, they sued to enter Ihram for the false goddess Manat whom they used to worship at Al-Mushallal. Whoever enter Ihram for her would refrain from going between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. When they asked the Messenger of Allah about that, Allah, the Might and Sublime, revealed: 'Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah (Two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Urmrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). Then the Messenger of Allah enjoined going between them so no one has the right to refrain from going between them.'"  

عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ ﷻ { فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا } فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ لاَ يَطُوفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِئْسَمَا قُلْتَ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي إِنَّ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ لَوْ كَانَتَ كَمَا أَوَّلْتَهَا كَانَتْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَلَكِنَّهَا نَزَلَتْ فِي الأَنْصَارِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ الطَّاغِيَةِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ عِنْدَ الْمُشَلَّلِ وَكَانَ مَنْ أَهَلَّ لَهَا يَتَحَرَّجُ أَنْ يَطُوفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا } ثُمَّ قَدْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ الطَّوَافَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَلَيْسَ لأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا  

‘Urwa bin Al Zubair said I said to A’ishah, wife of the Prophet ﷺ while I was a boy. What do you think about the pronouncement of Allaah, the Exalted “Lo! (The Mountains) Al Safa’ and Al Marwah are among the indications of Allaah. “I think there is no harm for anyone if he does not run between them. A’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her) said Nay, had it been so as you said, it would have been thus. It is no sin on him not to go around them. This verse was revealed about the Ansaar, they used to perform hajj for Manat. Manat was erected in front of Qudaid. Hence they used to avoid going around Al Safa and Al Marwah. When Islam came, they asked the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ about it. Allaah, the Exalted therefore revealed the verse “Lo! (The Mountains) Al Safa’ and Al Marwah are among the indications of Allaah.  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ } فَمَا أَرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلاَّ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ }  

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that his father said, "Once when I was young I said to A'isha, umm al-muminin, 'Have you seen the saying of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, "Safa and Marwa are among the waymarks of Allah, so whoever does hajj or umra to the House, there is no harm in his going between them," so it follows that there should be no harm for some one who does not go between them.' A'isha said, 'No. If it were as you say, there would be no harm in his not going between them. This ayat was only revealed about the Ansar. They used to make pilgrimage to Manat, and Manat was an idol near Qudayd, and they used to avoid going between Safa and Marwa, and when Islam came they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about this and Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed, "Safa and Marwa are among the waymarks of Allah, so whoever does hajj or umra to the House, there is no harm in his going between them. " ' "  

وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا فَمَا عَلَى الرَّجُلِ شَىْءٌ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلاَّ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَتْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لاَ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ فِي الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الإِسْلاَمُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا  

"I asked Aishah about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: 'So it sin not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (as-Safa and Al-Marwah) and (I said): 'By Allah, there is no sin on anyone if he does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.' Aishah said: 'What a bad thing you said, O son of my brother! If this Ayah was as you have interpreted it, there would be no sin on a person if he did not go between them. But it was revealed concering the Ansar. Before they accepted Islam, they sued to enter Ihram for the false goddess Manat whom they used to worship at Al-Mushallal. Whoever enter Ihram for her would refrain from going between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. When they asked the Messenger of Allah about that, Allah, the Might and Sublime, revealed: 'Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah (Two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Urmrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). Then the Messenger of Allah enjoined going between them so no one has the right to refrain from going between them.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2968)   

قُلْتُ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللهِ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ لَا يَتَطَوَّفَ بِهِمَا قَالَ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِئْسَمَا قُلْتَ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي إِنَّهَا لَوْ كَانَتْ عَلَى مَا أَوَّلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ كَانَتْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَلَكِنَّهَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ أَنَّ الْأَنْصَارَ كَانُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ الطَّاغِيَةِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ عِنْدَ الْمُشَلَّلِ وَكَانَ مَنْ أَهَلَّ لَهَا تَحَرَّجَ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَسَأَلُوا عَنْ ذَلِكَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَتَحَرَّجُ أَنْ نَطَّوَّفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ} [البقرة 158] إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ ثُمَّ قَدْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا فَلَيْسَ يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَدَعَ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا  

"I asked Aishah about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: 'So it sin not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (as-Safa and Al-Marwah) and (I said): 'By Allah, there is no sin on anyone if he does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.' Aishah said: 'What a bad thing you said, O son of my brother! If this Ayah was as you have interpreted it, there would be no sin on a person if he did not go between them. But it was revealed concering the Ansar. Before they accepted Islam, they sued to enter Ihram for the false goddess Manat whom they used to worship at Al-Mushallal. Whoever enter Ihram for her would refrain from going between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. When they asked the Messenger of Allah about that, Allah, the Might and Sublime, revealed: 'Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah (Two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Urmrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). Then the Messenger of Allah enjoined going between them so no one has the right to refrain from going between them.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2968)   

قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللهِ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا قَالَتْ بِئْسَمَا قُلْتَ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي إِنَّهَا لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا أَوَّلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ كَانَتْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ أَنَّ هَذَا الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا يُهِلُّوا لِمَنَاةَ الطَّاغِيَةِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ عِنْدَ الْمُشَلَّلِ وَكَانَ مَنْ أَهَلَّ لَهَا يَتَحَرَّجُ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَسَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ؟ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوْاعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] قَالَتْ ثُمَّ قَدْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا فَلَيْسَ يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَدَعَ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا  

[Machine] Regarding Aisha's saying, "Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah," she said, "There were men from the Ansar who used to perform religious devotions for Manat during the time of Jahiliyyah, and Manat was a pagan idol between Mecca and Medina. They said, 'O Messenger of Allah, we used to circumambulate between Safa and Marwa out of reverence for Manat. Is it permissible for us to continue doing so?' So Allah revealed, 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj or Umrah to the House, there is no blame upon him for walking between them.'" (Quran 2:158)  

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ فِي قَوْلِهِ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ} [البقرة 158] قَالَتْ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مِمَّنْ يُهِلُّ لِمَنَاةَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَمَنَاةُ صَنَمٌ بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ قَالُوا يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَطُوفُ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ تَعْظِيمًا لِمَنَاةَ فَهَلْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ حَرَجٍ أَنْ نَطُوفَ بِهِمَا؟ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158]  

I said to ʿAisha, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, "How do you interpret the Statement of Allah: "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah." So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." ʿAisha said, "Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been: "So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.' This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid (i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and Marwa after embracing Islam. When Islam came, they asked Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it, whereupon Allah revealed:-- "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." (2.158) (Using translation from Bukhārī 4495)  

أَنَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَعَلَا {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} فَمَا أَرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَنْ لَا يَطُوفَ بِهِمَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلَّا لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِي الْأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ} «  

"I asked Aishah about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: 'So it sin not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (as-Safa and Al-Marwah) and (I said): 'By Allah, there is no sin on anyone if he does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.' Aishah said: 'What a bad thing you said, O son of my brother! If this Ayah was as you have interpreted it, there would be no sin on a person if he did not go between them. But it was revealed concering the Ansar. Before they accepted Islam, they sued to enter Ihram for the false goddess Manat whom they used to worship at Al-Mushallal. Whoever enter Ihram for her would refrain from going between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. When they asked the Messenger of Allah about that, Allah, the Might and Sublime, revealed: 'Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah (Two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Urmrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). Then the Messenger of Allah enjoined going between them so no one has the right to refrain from going between them.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2968)  

أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ لَا يَطُوفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ؟ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتَ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا أَوَّلْتَهَا كَانَتْ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَلَكِنَّهَا أُنْزِلَتْ فِي أَنَّ الْأَنْصَارَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ الطَّاغِيَةِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ عِنْدَ الْمُشَلَّلِ وَكَانَ مَنْ أَهَلَّ لَهَا يَتَحَرَّجُ أَنْ يَطُوفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] ثُمَّ قَدْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا فَلَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا  

"I asked Aishah about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: 'So it sin not a sin on him who perform Hajj or Umrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (as-Safa and Al-Marwah) and (I said): 'By Allah, there is no sin on anyone if he does not go between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.' Aishah said: 'What a bad thing you said, O son of my brother! If this Ayah was as you have interpreted it, there would be no sin on a person if he did not go between them. But it was revealed concering the Ansar. Before they accepted Islam, they sued to enter Ihram for the false goddess Manat whom they used to worship at Al-Mushallal. Whoever enter Ihram for her would refrain from going between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. When they asked the Messenger of Allah about that, Allah, the Might and Sublime, revealed: 'Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwah (Two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Urmrah (Pilgrimage) of the House (the Kabah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). Then the Messenger of Allah enjoined going between them so no one has the right to refrain from going between them.'" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2968)  

أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا يَطَّوَّفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتَ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا أَوَّلْتَهَا كَانَتْ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَلَّا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَلَكِنَّهَا أُنْزِلَتْ فِي أَنَّ الْأَنْصَارَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ الطَّاغِيَةِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ عِنْدَ الْمُشَلَّلِ وَكَانَ مَنْ أَهَلَّ لَهَا يَتَحَرَّجُ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] ثُمَّ قَدْ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا فَلَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الطَّوَافَ بِهِمَا  

I said to ʿAisha, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, "How do you interpret the Statement of Allah: "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah." So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." ʿAisha said, "Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been: "So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.' This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid (i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and Marwa after embracing Islam. When Islam came, they asked Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it, whereupon Allah revealed:-- "Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them." (2.158) (Using translation from Bukhārī 4495)  

قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللهِ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] فَمَا أُرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَلَّا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا؟ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلَّا لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَلَّا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِي الْأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَتْ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحُ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158]  

‘Urwa bin Al Zubair said I said to A’ishah, wife of the Prophet ﷺ while I was a boy. What do you think about the pronouncement of Allaah, the Exalted “Lo! (The Mountains) Al Safa’ and Al Marwah are among the indications of Allaah. “I think there is no harm for anyone if he does not run between them. A’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her) said Nay, had it been so as you said, it would have been thus. It is no sin on him not to go around them. This verse was revealed about the Ansaar, they used to perform hajj for Manat. Manat was erected in front of Qudaid. Hence they used to avoid going around Al Safa and Al Marwah. When Islam came, they asked the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ about it. Allaah, the Exalted therefore revealed the verse “Lo! (The Mountains) Al Safa’ and Al Marwah are among the indications of Allaah. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1901)   

لِعَائِشَةَ ؓ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ حَدِيثُ السِّنِّ أَرَأَيْتِ قَوْلَ اللهِ ﷻ {إنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158]؟ فَمَا أَرَى عَلَى أَحَدٍ شَيْئًا أَنْ لَا يَطُوفَ بِهِمَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَلَّا لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ كَانَتْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِي الْأَنْصَارِ وَكَانُوا يُهِلُّونَ لِمَنَاةَ وَكَانَ مَنَاةُ حَذْوَ قُدَيْدٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَحَرَّجُونَ أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ} [البقرة 158] الْآيَةَ  

[Machine] And why? I said, "Indeed, Allah says: 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them.' " [Al-Baqarah 158] She said, "O nephew of mine, if it were as you say, then there would be no blame upon him for not walking between them. Allah perfected the Hajj of a man and his 'umrah when he does not walk between Safa and Marwa. Do you know the reason for that? The Ansar used to circumambulate around an idol on the shore of the sea during the time of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era), then they would come and perform the Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and then shave their heads. When Islam came, they disliked to perform the Sa'i between them, because of what they used to do between them during the time of Jahiliyyah. So Allah revealed: 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever does good voluntarily - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.' " [Al-Baqarah 158] So the people returned and performed the Sa'i.  

وَلِمَ؟ قُلْتُ إِنَّ اللهَ ﷻ يَقُولُ {إنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا} [البقرة 158] قَالَتْ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي لَوْ كَانَتْ كَمَا تَقُولُ لَكَانَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا مَا أَتَمَّ اللهُ حَجَّ امْرِئٍ وَلَا عُمْرَتَهُ لَمْ يَطُفْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ أَتَدْرِي فِيمَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ؟ كَانَتِ الْأَنْصَارُ يُهِلُّونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ لِصَنَمٍ عَلَى شَاطِئِ الْبَحْرِ ثُمَّ يَجِيئُونَ فَيَطُوفُونَ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ فَيَحْلِقُونَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ كَرِهُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بَيْنَهُمَا؛ لِلَّذِي كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ} [البقرة 158] فَعَادَ النَّاسُ فَطَافُوا