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Insider Tips on Hajj

preparing

Selecting a Travel Agent and a Hajj Package
Check Visa, Ticket, etc.
Things To Carry
Logistics
Performing Hajj or Umrah
Health Advice & Help
A Final Word
Links and Important Addresses

Preparing

Prepare yourself by reading some books on Hajj that will make you mentally and spiritually ready for the trip. This will also help you to do Hajj and Umrah easily.

It is very necessary to be physically fit for the trip. During the Hajj everybody will be involved in some physical activities that include some walking too. (If you think you need to, do some physical exercises like, walking, jogging, etc. to be physically fit for the trip. Do this for a couple of hours per week.)

Talk to people who have experience with Hajj and Saudi Arabia in order to get an idea about what life is like there. The more information you get, the better it will be for you. You never know what kind of situation you might face. Remember, it is a different country with different culture, rules and regulations. Added to this, most of the people will not speak English and there are also many other pilgrims that are from different countries.

Selecting a Travel Agent and a Hajj Package

If you want to go with a travel agent and buy their package, consider the following things before buying the package:

When will the package start and end? Does it fit with your schedule? Does the package cover a trip to Medina? If it does, then is it before or after the Hajj? What is the break-up of the trip? In my case it was first five days in Mecca, next five days in Medina and the last five days for Hajj.

Does the package go first to Mecca or Medina? Going to Medina first is better, because less people go to Medinah first, so there is less crowding in the airport. We went to Mecca first; it took about six hours to get out of the Jeddah (Mecca) Airport.

Where does the package start? Depending on that, you may need some additional traveling. My package started from New York, so I had to pay for the additional journey between California and New York.

Find out about the airlines in the package. Do they fly directly to the destination or not? I went by Saudi Arabian Airlines and it went directly to Saudi Arabia. But some people in our group went by Egypt Air and they had a stop over in Cairo, Egypt. Try to get direct flights always.

Where they will arrange your lodging in Mecca and Medina? Is it a hotel or an apartment? Find out the duration of the stay in each place. How many people will they put in one room? Will they keep their promise by not putting more additional people in the room? What is the size of the room? How far are those places from the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (in Mecca) or the Prophet’s Mosque (in Medina)? Find out the lodging arrangements for Mina and Arafat. Make sure you will get a tent in Mina and Arafat. This is very important.

What kind of food arrangement does the package have? How far are the restaurants from the lodgings? Will there be any food arrangement for you in Mina and Arafat?

Will they provide any transportation during the Hajj? For example, going from Mina to Arafat, Arafat to Muzdalifah, and from Muzdalifah back to Mina. What kind of transportation does the package have for traveling between Mecca and Medina?

Will there be a guide always with the group? What language does the guide speak?

After the Hajj will they take you directly to the airport? Or will they put you in a hotel or apartment before flying you back home?

How much does the package cost? Does it cover the visa processing fee, etc.?

If possible, ask the travel agent for a couple of references to find out how people were treated when they traveled with them. Always talk to a couple of travel agents and compare their deals. Pick a package that fits best for you regarding cost, schedule, duration, etc.

Check Visa, Ticket, etc.

After receiving your visa in your passport and your ticket, etc., read all the papers carefully. If you have any questions, contact the appropriate persons.

Check the Hajj visa. Make sure the vaccination certificate is with your passport. Call the airlines to make sure everything is okay with regard to your flights and reservations. In my case, the travel agent put wrong flight numbers and airport names on my tickets. Since I didn't check it earlier, it was discovered just before the flight. Also, if you request Muslim, Kosher or vegetarian meals call them as early as possible.

Things To Carry

Books: For example, the Quran or books related to Hajj, Umrah, Supplication, Repentance, etc.

Money: The default rule is that in Saudi Arabia food and lodging costs about US$100 per day. Credit cards can be used to cash Saudi Rials (SR) from the ATM machines. For safety, split the money and carry it in different places. In case one part gets lost, you will have the rest with you.

Luggage: It is very important to take as little luggage as possible, especially in Mina and Arafat because you may have to walk and carry them. The space in tents is limited too. Try to take strong bags or suitcases with wheels and locks. This is highly recommended. Anything can happen anytime. For example, in the Jeddah Airport, the porters broke one of my suitcases’ handles due to improper handling. Luckily, I had extra straps to secure them.

Medicine: Take some common medicines for cold, fever, pain, blistering, etc., including some antibiotics. If you get sick, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Clothes & Weather: Usually the weather is warm/hot during the daytime. Take some light garments according to the duration of trip. The nights are cool. Having a light blanket will help to sleep in the air-conditioned places. For example, in Mina, most tents are air-conditioned and are shared by many people. If you are cold, use the blanket because you will not be able to turn off the air conditioner.

Miscellaneous: Prayer rug, umbrella, inflatable pillow, towel, folding small chair for Mina/Arafat (you can buy it in Saudi Arabia), sunglasses, a spare set of Ihram clothes and a pair of extra sandals will help. If you miss anything, don’t worry; you can buy it over there. Prices are cheaper compared to the United States, plus you can always bargain.

Logistics

Be patient because most of the time things do not go on schedule. Always remember you are in a different country with people who are from different countries and cultures, so you need to be careful about some unexpected situations. The most important thing is that pilgrims control their temper for the sake of their hajj and maintaining their proper Islamic character.

Find out the address and phone numbers of the places you will be staying at in Saudi Arabia and the duration of stay in those places. Also find out and memorize your Mutawwif’s name and the office (maktab) number in Mina. In case you are lost, someone can help you easily if you have this information. Have your travel agent’s information (name, address, phone number) written down as well.

Always carry your money, documents and ID’s carefully. They may not be safe in your hotel or apartment or in your luggage. Buy one of those “Hajji Belt’s” in Saudi Arabia, because the authorities only allow carrying that belt in side the Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque. Most of the time they do not allow carrying the “funny pack” inside those two places.

Keep photocopies of all documents in different suit cases (also a copy in your home), including the plane tickets and the passport.

In Saudi Arabia, remember that your passport will be taken away from you upon arrival in the airport.

Sacrifice: If possible, pay for your sacrifice and the Hajj fee (to the Saudi government) through your travel agent before you embark. This way you don’t have to think about these things over there. You can also slaughter an animal in Saudi Arabia. There are banks where you can buy coupons for the sacrifice (Sacrifice is required of a pilgrim for a willful violation of a prohibition or obligation of the state of Ihram). There is a bank in the Mecca Tower complex next to Al-Masjid Al-Haram that sells coupons for sacrifice. In 1999, the price was 350 SR for a sheep.

Food: There are different kinds of restaurants in Mecca and Medina. The average decent meal costs about 10 SR and up. Fruits, juice, water and milk, etc. can be bought almost everywhere close to Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque. There are some western fast food restaurants, like KFC and Burger King. There are food stores in Mina too. If you find the food is monotonous, try to find a restaurant according to your ethnicity. To avoid getting sick, consume fresh foods that are from clean places.

Phones: There are phone cards around Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque. Phone cards are sold in front of the phones. 50 SR or 100 SR cards are always available. Before buying, make sure the card works and the card is actually for the amount you are paying for. The phones display in English too. There are also stores where you can go to make your call and pay the bill directly. To call from Saudi Arabia to the United States, start with 001, then the area code and then the number.

Relax and prepare yourself for the Hajj mentally, spiritually and physically. Do not stress yourself physically doing other things, because it might put your Hajj in jeopardy.

Watch out from con men, pickpockets, etc. Unfortunately, this occurs quite frequently for some. If you run in to a situation with one, think and act logically, not emotionally. Use your judgment.

Performing Hajj or Umrah

Learn the different rituals of Hajj by their priorities, like Fardh, Wajeb, Sunnah, Mustahab, etc., so that the rituals can be prioritized and the most important, and or necessary, ones will not be missed. This is very important. Follow the steps of the Umrah or Hajj rituals carefully. To the best of your ability consult scholars about these issues.

Depending on your first destination (Mecca or Medina), find out your Miqat, because you have to wear Ihram and make the intention (Niya) before crossing that place for both Umrah and the Hajj. This is very important.

Always make sure you are in the right place at the right time. Take extra precautions to be on schedule. The Jamrah areas in Mina and the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (especially for the Tawaf ul-Ifadah) in Mecca get very crowded. Plan ahead to avoid the crowd. Find out and try to go those places when the crowding is at a minimum.

Learn about the places (like the inside of the Al-Masjid Al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque and Arafat) where supplications get accepted to Allah (SWT). Try to make supplication in those places for yourself, your family and for everybody. If it is crowded, it is better to avoid those places.

Health Advice & Help

Prevention & Treatment:

There is a famous rule of thumb taught to medical students and interns, “common things are common.” Bearing this in mind, health tips are given in avoiding and treating common problems such as foot blisters and injuries, the “Hajj Syndrome” well known to physicians in Saudi Arabia, exhaustion and diarrhea.

The advice is interlaced with the text so that you are reminded at appropriate times during the rites of Hajj and Umrah about how to avoid getting unnecessarily hurt.

Diagnosis:

Though there will be many doctors and physicians who will have an adequate command of English, you may find yourself in the position of triage assessment. What is triage? When demand is very high (as in Hajj) medical resources are prioritized based upon patient symptoms and signs; a non-doctor or non-physician, who is less likely to speak English, usually undertakes this. It is at this critical juncture where quick and accurate translation of your symptoms is required.

A Final Word

If you are young and strong you should actively look out for those older or weaker than yourself and help them wherever possible. Would you give up the rewards of saving the life of a person or lending a helping hand?

At all times, however, we must stress that the instructions of the Saudi authorities, which have overall responsibility, must be followed.

Treat others as you would wish them to treat your parents and children, and most importantly remember the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who said, “Don’t get angry.”