It is narrated from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that this verse, "Indeed, al-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah" [Surah al-Baqarah: 158] , was revealed concerning the Ansar. In the Jahiliyyah, when they entered the state of ihram, it was not lawful for them to go between al-Safa and al-Marwah (sa'i). So when we came (to Madinah), they mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and then Allah Almighty revealed this verse. This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) (Asim says:) I asked him about al-Safa and al-Marwah, and he said: They were among the rites of the Jahiliyyah, and when Islam came we held back (from going between them). Then Allah Almighty revealed this verse: "Indeed, al-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no blame upon him for going between them. And whoever does good voluntarily" [Surah al-Baqarah: 158] . This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that a man came to him and asked: Should I begin with al-Safa before al-Marwah, or with al-Marwah before al-Safa? Should I pray before circumambulating, or circumambulate before praying? Should I shave my head before slaughtering, or slaughter before shaving? Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: Take the answer to these matters from the Book of Allah, for it is more worthy of being preserved. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says: "Indeed, al-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah", so al-Safa (is mentioned) before al-Marwah (and the sa'i begins from there). And Allah said: "Do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its place" [Surah al-Baqarah: 196] , so the slaughter comes before the shaving. And Allah said: "Purify My House for those who circle it, those who stand, and those who bow and prostrate" [Surah al-Hajj: 26] , so circumambulation comes before prayer. This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain of narration, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.