Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))

Bukhari :: Book 6 :: Volume 60 :: Hadith 384

Narrated 'Urwa:

I asked 'Aisha (regarding the Sai between As Safa and Al-Marwa). She said, "Out of reverence to the idol Manat which was placed in Al-Mushailal, those who used to assume Ihram in its name, used not to perform Sai between As-Safa and Al-Marwa, so Allah revealed:

'Verily! The As-Safa and Al-Marwa (two mountains at Mecca) are among the symbols of Allah.' (2.158).

Thereupon, Allah's Apostle and the Muslims used to perform Sai (between them)." Sufyan said: The (idol) Manat was at Al-Mushailal in Qudaid. 'Aisha added, "The Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar. They and (the tribe of) Ghassan used to assume lhram in the name of Manat before they embraced Islam." 'Aisha added, "There were men from the Ansar who used to assume lhram in the name of Manat which was an idol between Mecca and Medina. They said, "O Allah's Apostle! We used not to perform the Tawaf (Sai) between As-Safa and Al-Marwa out of reverence to Manat."