Before I answer your question, let me give you some background as to why Muslims perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa.
Muslims believe that Abraham was ordered by God to send his wife Hagar and his first son, Ishmael, to Mecca. Ishamel at this time was a baby, and Hagar protected him from the heat.
After Abraham left his wife and son, Hagar needed to provide drink and shelter for her child. Fearing death, she placed Ishmael on the ground and began searching for water.
The two mountains she searched between are "Safa and Marwa." She went between them 7 times searching for water. She could not find any. However, God would not let them alone.
Hagar returned to her son, and found him crying. Beneath his feet, suddenly a spring of water came gushing forth. It came in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert. This was undoubtedly a miracle from God Most High. Hagar and her son drank from this well that was created, allowing them to live.
This water gushes forth till this day and is known as "Zam Zam." It is in Mecca nearby the Kaaba. Water, coming from no where.....
Please read Psalm 84:1-6
1. For the director of music. According to [1] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [2]
Sounds strikingly similar, yes? The Kaaba was later constructed by Abraham and Ishamel nearby the place where Zam Zam sprang from the earth. It was the first house of worship for God ever built by mankind. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Kaaba has "pilgrims" who are "ever praising God." The entire purpose of being at the Kaaba is to praise God....
I'm giving you some background as to why Muslims perform the Tafwa between the 2 mountains. It is not because the Pagans did it as they did not. It is because of Hagar's struggle and God's Miracle for her.
It seems obvious that they would refrain from this, as when Allah referred to the Tawaf of the Ka'ba in th Qu'ran, it did not mention Safa and Marwa. And that was consistent with this same people's pagan belief. So all was well!
But then Muhammad is asked, what is Allah's position on Tawaf between Safa and Marwa when there is confusion among the people? And interestingly enough, now it seems Allah, who failed to mention Safa and Mawa in th Qu'ran, says, "Verily As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah."
There's nothing "interesting" about this. Often times when the people asked Muhammad concerning an issue or a situation arose, a revelation was sent down addressing that issue from God to clear up any confusion. For example, when the people questioned Muhammad (Pbuh) about his journey to Paradise, a revelation was sent down to explain to the people:
11. The heart falsified not what he saw. [QS: 53:11]
12. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he sees ?
13. And verily he saw him yet another time
14. By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary,
15. Near it the Garden of Abode. [QS: 53:15]
16. When the Lote-tree was enshrouded by whatever enshrouded
17. The sight did not swerve nor did it exceed
18. Verily he saw the signs of his Lord, the Greatest.
The Revelation was revealed in stages, remember.
17.106 (It is) a Qurán which We have divided (into parts from time to time), in order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages.
What we have in the above Hadith is no mention of Safa and Marwa in a certain portion of the Qur'an. The people thought that it then might be forbidden to perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa. In repsonse to this question, God sent down a verse allowing for the Tawaf between the two mountains. It had not been disallowed before the sending of the Quranic verse.
25.33 And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the truth and the best explanation (thereof).
Peace be unto you,
Norris |
