Sa'i is the ritual of making seven trips between the hills of Safa and Marwa during hajj and umrah.
The rite takes place in the Masjid al-Haram complex in Mecca. Pilgrims begin at Safa and proceed to Marwa, then return to Safa, counting each journey between the two points as one trip. The seventh trip ends at Marwa.
Islamic tradition connects sa'i with Hagar’s search for water for her son Ishmael. The Zamzam Well is associated with that story, and the ritual commemorates her determined movement between the two elevated points. The covered walkway used today allows millions of pilgrims to perform the rite more safely and comfortably.
Sa'i should not be confused with tawaf. Tawaf circles the Kaaba seven times, while sa'i travels along a route between Safa and Marwa. Both rites are connected with pilgrimage but have different movements and locations.