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Preparations Before
Leaving for Hajj
General:
Hajj
is one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims who fulfill
certain conditions must perform Hajj at least once in their
lifetime. What are these conditions? Are there any prerequisites of
Hajj? The answers to these and many other similar questions can
help you in making decisions, and in planning for Hajj in a better
and more efficient fashion.
Who
Must Perform Hajj:
Every
Muslim who fulfills the following conditions must perform Hajj at
least once in his lifetime:
a.
He must be of sound mind, and in full control of his mental
faculties.
b.
He must be old enough, and mature enough to understand the full
import, and significance of what he is setting out to do.
c.
He must be financially sound enough to be able not only to bear all
of his expenses for Hajj but also to provide adequately for his
dependents during his absence and until his return.
Prerequisites
Of Hajj:
Since
Hajj is an act of worship, it must be performed in peace, and with
single minded devotion. There are a number of simple, yet
important, things you can do to get in the right frame of mind for
this unique experience. All of these are self-evident and are based
on common sense. They are reiterated below for completeness of the
discussion and as a reminder:
a.
Your intention must be to perform Hajj solely for the sake of
Allah. Considerations of pleasing or impressing others with your
show of piety should never be a factor.
b.
All Hajj expenses must be paid out of money obtained through
legitimate (Halal) means. Money obtained through illegitimate or
doubtful means is not acceptable.
c.
All of your debts and financial obligations must be fully
discharged before you start your journey and, where necessary, a
written acknowledgement of the transaction obtained for future use.
d.
You must make an honest effort to resolve your outstanding
differences with others and seek forgiveness from those you may
have hurt in any way in the past. This is based on specific
instructions of Rasool Allah (pbuh) and must be followed for the
Hajj to be meaningful.
Preparations
For Hajj:
Since
Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, the
importance of early and adequate preparation cannot be
over-emphasized. There is a considerable investment of money, time,
and physical effort required for the Pilgrimage to be fulfilling
and meaningful. Information has to be collected, itineraries must
be worked out, and documents have to be readied. The purpose of
these preparations is not only to minimize physical discomfort,
emotional aggravation and monetary expenses, but also to enable you
to perform Hajj in relative peace of heart and mind. Therefore, it
makes sense to be as ready as possible for this momentous journey
of self-discovery, self-appraisal, and spiritual enlightenment.
Arrangements
must be started early enough so that you are not rushed for time in
the few days before your voyage commences. The paperwork, shopping,
finalizing your travel and residential arrangements inside Saudi
Arabia etc., consume a great deal of time. Three to four months
ahead of your actual date of departure is a good estimate for
starting your preparations. Your travel agent, or a knowledgeable
friend who has performed Hajj recently, can also guide you in your
preparations. Be sure to apply a "factor of safety" to
their recommendations and allow yourself a somewhat greater period
of preparation than they advise!
The
following guidelines are intended to get you started in the right
direction. Since individual needs and preferences vary widely you
will, in all probability, add to the list as you prepare for the
journey:
Travel
Agent:
Choose
a travel agent who offers a wide selection of "packages"
for Hajj. There are a large number of travel agencies all over the
country that offer Hajj services, and not all of their products are
of equal quality and value. Choosing the right agent is of crucial
importance. Hopefully, a representative of your travel agent will
be your constant guide and trouble shooter during Hajj. Invest time
and effort in this essential phase of your preparation.
Talk
to friends and acquaintances who may have recently used the
services of various companies and ask them for recommendations. The
quality of service and commitment to the comfort and well-being of
the pilgrims vary significantly among travel agents. Whereas a good
and responsible agent can "make" your Hajj, a bad one can
just as easily "break" it.
Be
sure to ask the travel agent specific questions and have him give
you specific answers:
a.
What will be the duration of your stay in Makkah and Madinah? What
dates? Is the program flexible or will it allow no changes once it
is made? Is there any additional cost to such changes? If so, what
is it?
b.
How far away will you be staying from Haram ash Shareef, both in
Makkah and in Madinah? If your place of residence is not within
easy walking distance (10-15 minutes), what type of transportation
to and from Haram ash Shareef will be made available? How often
during the day will it be available?
c.
Will a representative of the travel agent who is fully conversant
with the rites of Hajj, and Saudi rules and procedures for customs,
immigration, and travel be with you at all times? Will he stay in
Saudi Arabia for the duration of your visit? You do not want to be
left in Saudi Arabia without adequate guidance and assistance. The
laws and procedures there can be very difficult, frustrating, and
time-consuming.
d.
Will the representative of the agent be conversant with the Arabic
language? If not, will an interpreter be provided in Saudi Arabia?
Most Saudi authorities do not speak English, and your command of
Arabic is likely to be limited.
e.
Will you have the option of travelling within Saudi Arabia, (for
example from Makkah to Madinah), in a taxi hired by you at your own
expense instead of the prepaid bus provided by your muallim? How
about possible return by air from Madinah to Jeddah on your way out
of the country instead of the usual prepaid bus? Get a good idea of
this additional expense.
You
may want to use the above options in view of the fact that the bus
journeys during Hajj season can be nerve-racking. For example, a
bus journey from Makkah to Madinah (approximately 400 km or 250
miles) can take as long as twenty to thirty hours, whereas a taxi
will cover the same distance in three to four hours. The small
additional cost you will incur is well worth the money in terms of
time saved and physical discomfort avoided.
If
you choose to use any of the alternate travel options (and it is
highly recommend that you give them very serious consideration), be
sure to redeem your unused bus coupons at Jeddah airport on your
way out. Your travel agent should be able to help you in this.
f.
What kind of arrangements will be made for your stay in Mina and
Arafat? How about the food arrangements in Mina, Arafat, and
Muzdalifah?
g.
Does the price of your package include meals? See if the agents
make an effort to vary the menu. You may have to supplement your
meals with milk, fruits etc. Food supplied by the agents tends to
be monotonous, and the lack of variety is likely to kill your
appetite after a couple of days!
h.
Will the agent arrange for a sacrifice on your behalf on the 10th
of Zul Hijjah? This is a common service agents often provide for a
small fee. They will inform you of the time of the sacrifice so
that you may perform other rites accordingly.
Vaccinations:
You
will need certain vaccinations for the issuance of a Hajj visa. The
World Health Organization (WHO) issues annual guidelines and
requirements concerning vaccinations for travel to various
countries including Saudi Arabia. Your physician will have the
necessary information or will be able to access it readily.
Check
either with your travel agent or the Saudi Arabian Embassy for
additional requirements. The Saudi Government requirements are
usually stricter than the WHO recommendations. For instance,
whereas the WHO recommended immunization against only meningococcal
meningitis for travel to Saudi Arabia in 1997, the Saudi
authorities required immunization against cholera also.
Your
doctor may recommend additional vaccinations in the light of his
knowledge and experience. The writer's doctor (a specialist in
infectious diseases) recommended and administered immunization
against typhoid fever, polio, pneumonia, diphtheria/tetanus (D/T)
and malaria.
This
may sound like "over-kill" and it probably is in most
cases. However, it can also save you a lot of worry and misery in
those unfortunate instances where extra care is needed. To cite an
example : in 1997 there was an outbreak of typhoid in India and
some of the pilgrims in the writer's group, who travelled to India
after Hajj, became seriously ill with the illness while there. It
is possible that they contracted the disease from carriers among
the Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, or they may have contracted
the disease in India itself. In any case, earlier vaccination
against the disease would have saved them from much suffering and
anxiety. Had they contracted typhoid in Saudi Arabia itself from
the Indian pilgrims, they would have had serious problems
completing their Hajj.
Be
sure to obtain an official Vaccination Record Book (the
"Yellow Book") from your County or State Health
Department. Have your physician fill it out, sign it, and stamp it.
Anything less may be unacceptable to the Saudi visa authorities,
and you don't want your visa application rejected for a small
detail like this. Keep the vaccination record book with your other
important documents and take it with you to Saudi Arabia. You never
know when you may need it.
Documents:
a.
Saudi Government regulations require your passport to be valid for
at least six months past the date of your departure. If it is not,
have its validity extended or get a new passport well ahead of
time. It takes several weeks for a passport to be issued or
extended under normal circumstances. Your local post office should
have the necessary forms and other relevant information.
If
you are not a U.S. citizen and hold a "green card", your
passport also needs to be valid for six months past the date of
your departure. Your travel agent will be able to advise you of any
additional requirements.
b.
You will need a round-trip ticket to Saudi Arabia for a Hajj visa
to be issued. Your travel agent will ask you for a specific package
of documents to be submitted with your visa application. Normally,
the agent will take care of the visa application as a part of his
services.
c.
Your travel agent will probably ask you for four to five
passport-sized pictures for a visa and other paper work. Have an
additional four to five copies of the photos made and take them
with you to Saudi Arabia. They may be needed for ID cards issued by
your muallim and other Saudi documents and procedures. Having spare
pictures on hand will save you the time, aggravation, and expense
involved in having them made in a foreign land.
d.
If you were born in the U.S.A., you may be required to have a
certificate issued by a competent authority (e.g., the Imam of your
local mosque) stating that you are a Muslim. Since non-muslims are
not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, such a
document is of crucial importance, especially if you do not happen
to have a typical Muslim name. Your travel agent or the Saudi
Embassy can advise you about the details of the said certificate.
e.
Prepare a Last Will and Testament and have it properly notarized.
Consult an attorney if it is a complicated will, or if you have
concerns about your assets and property in case of something
untoward happening to you during Hajj. Leave the original in a
safety deposit box accessible to a member of your family. The
executor/executrix of your will should also be given a copy, and
your attorney should probably retain a copy also. Have him explain
to you, and the immediate members of your family affected by the
will, the probate laws of your state and advise them as to the best
course of action in case of your death abroad.
General:
a.
You will be exerting considerable physical effort during Hajj. All
Hajj rites (Tawaf, Sai, Rummy etc.) require a great deal of
strength and endurance. The constant crush of hundreds of thousands
of other pilgrims, each trying to perform the same rites at the
same time in limited spaces and very hot weather, compounds the
demands on your physical conditioning and mental toughness.
In
order to be prepared for the rigors expected of you, you must be in
good physical shape. To achieve this, start a program of brisk
walking and jogging for twenty to thirty minutes a day about three
to four months before your departure. Gradually increase this
regimen to an hour every day or every other day.
After
a few days of walking/jogging start reciting audibly the Talbiyah
and the prayers for Tawaf. This will keep your mind occupied during
the monotony of the exercise, and will also help you get in a
peaceful frame of mind. Concentrating on the meaning of the prayers
will help you get ready for the actual Hajj as well.
b.
Obtain and study books on Hajj and its rites if you wish to know
more about its history and traditions. Familiarize yourself with
all aspects of the Hajj process. Memorize the prayers you will be
reciting and also learn their meaning. It requires very little
effort to do so and it is so much more fulfilling and rewarding
when you understand what you recite. It serves little purpose to
recite prayers mindlessly with no comprehension of the words
spoken.
The
more you know about Hajj, its obligations, and
	prohibitions, the more comfortable and at peace you will
feel during the whole process. You will be confident of what you
are doing, and will also be independent of the advice and prompting
of your friends or a mutawwif. Your prayers will bear the hallmark
of the single-mindedness and devotion born of knowledge and
confidence. You will also be able to help and guide your less
knowledgeable companions, answer their questions, and allay their
fears.
Some
people do not take the trouble of learning the 	rites and
prayers of Hajj themselves and, consequently, depend on
professional mutawwifs for the performance of these rites. You will
find such people performing the Tawaf under the leadership of these
professionals, trying to keep up with their "leader" in
the milling throngs of pilgrims around the Kabah, and at the same
time, trying to repeat the prayers intoned by their mutawwif! With
a little bit of effort, you can avoid the problems and frustrations
of trying to follow some one else closely enough in a vast, moving
crowd to listen to and parrot his intonations.
c.
A female pilgrim must travel in the company of her husband or a
mahram i.e., a member of her immediate family with whom her
marriage is expressly prohibited by the shariah e.g., father,
brother, son, uncle, etc. A female pilgrim, who is forty five years
of age or older, may be allowed to travel with a group of pilgrims
without a mahram if a family in the group sponsors her. Ask your
agent for details.
Things
To Take With You
The
following is a fairly comprehensive list of things you will need to
take with you to make your journey, and subsequent stay in Saudi
Arabia safe, convenient, and relatively care-free. Since personal
needs and preferences vary, you may want to make changes in this
list to suit your own requirements.
1.
Ihram
The
Ihram consists of two pieces of white, unsewn and 	plain
cloth, either 100% cotton or light terry-cloth. These are cool to
wear and also provide for better absorption of the heavy
perspiration you will inevitably experience during Hajj. The sizes
of the two pieces are as follows:
Bottom
Part : 45" (1 1/4 yd) x 120" (3 1/3 yd)
Top
Part : 45" (1 1/4 yd) x 72" (2 yd)
a.
Tear off two, two to three inch wide strips of a sufficient length
from the same material. Use one as a belt to secure the bottom
portion of the Ihram. Keep the other as a spare. An ordinary belt
or fanny belt may also be used for the same purpose, but a strip of
Ihram cloth is a lot more practical, and unobtrusive. It keeps the
Ihram firmly in place and, unlike a fanny belt or pouch, does not
have to be inspected by the police at the entrance to the Haram ash
Shareef.
b.
Tear off an eight to ten inch wide strip of sufficient length from
the same material. Use it to secure money, credit cards, airline
ticket, etc. around your midriff under the Ihram. Use a plastic
sandwich bag inside this make-shift pouch to keep these things dry,
and secure. This is as pilfer-proof as possible and,unlike a belt
or fanny pouch, does not attract the unwanted attention of
pickpockets and thieves. You may still use a fanny pouch to carry
other things such as medication, pen, a handkerchief, and a small
amount of money for daily use. Your fanny pouch will be inspected
by the police at the entrance to Haram ash Shareef in Makkah and
Madinah. Be patient and understanding as the police are only doing
their job.
2.
Medication
Gastrointestinal
and respiratory infections are very 	common during Hajj .
People from all over the world bring with them all kinds of
infections, and the unavoidable closeness of the hundreds of
thousands of pilgrims facilitates easy spread of these illnesses.
Fatigue, and lack of sleep from the physically demanding regimen of
Hajj rites as well as the over-enthusiastic exertions in prayers
and devotions, lower one's immunity and resistance, thereby making
one more vulnerable to disease. However, you can take elementary
precautions to minimize your chances of becoming ill, and also to
ensure that you will get back on your feet faster should you get
sick. Getting and staying in good physical shape by regular
exercise prior to your departure is a good first step. You can also
carry certain medicines with you for use later.
a.
Ask your doctor to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to be
taken prophylactically (i.e., as a preventive measure) throughout
your stay in Saudi Arabia. The writer's doctor prescribed 250 mg of
the antibiotic CIPRO to be taken daily. He found it to be very
helpful and effective as he was about the only person in his group
of approximately seventy five people who remained healthy and free
of all infections during his stay. CIPRO is easily available in
Saudi Arabia. Some people were prescribed AMOXICILLIN by Saudi
doctors and pharmacists with good results. Most medicines are
available over the counter in Saudi Arabia, and even pharmacists
readily prescribe medication. However it is preferable to consult
your doctor in the U.S.A. for your needs for obvious reasons.
b.
Carry a reasonable supply of over-the-counter drugs such as:
ASPIRIN,
TYLENOL, ADVIL or ALEVE (for pain)
TYLENOL
PM (as a sleep-aid)
BENGAY,
ASPERCREME (for muscular pain)
PEPTOBISMOL,
IMMODIUM (for diarrhea)
EMETROL
(for nausea)
COUGH
DROPS, MULTI-VITAMINS, BAND-AIDS, ANTI-BACTERIAL CREAM (for cuts)
3.
Waist Pouch (Fanny Pouch)
Keep
valuables (documents, money, travellers' checks, keys, credit
cards, etc.) in the fanny pouch around your waist at all times. Do
not ever leave your home without it. Be especially careful and wary
in crowded places. Unfortunately, there are thieves and pickpockets
even inside Haram ash Shareef! Hold on to the pouch with your hand
in crowds e.g., while doing Tawaf or when visiting Al Masjid un
Nabawi in Madinah. Buy a good quality fanny belt or pouch. It is a
small but a very good investment.
4.
Suitcase
Hard-cased,
high quality luggage with a built-in locking system is highly
recommended. Do not use a soft, vinyl suitcase with outside hasps
for locks. Both the suitcase as well as the locks can be easily cut
and the contents stolen. Many people have the mistaken notion that
every one in and around the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and
Al Haram ash Shareef is a God fearing, devoted Muslim. Therefore,
they feel immune from criminal activity. Unfortunately, that is
just not true. Inspite of the severe punishments awarded to
convicted criminals by Saudi authorities, crime does exist.
Pickpockets and crooks find it easy to prey on unsuspecting
pilgrims whose guard is down because of their preoccupation with
Hajj activities.
Always
keep your suitcase locked and do not ever leave money, important
papers or other valuables in it. Your residential room will be
periodically cleaned by the cleaning staff, and the best way to
keep every one honest is not to offer any temptation. Take two sets
of keys for your suitcase. Keep one set in the fanny pouch, and the
other in a separate, and safe location.
5.
Money
Take
a sufficient amount of currency to cover your projected expenses.
It is difficult to recommend an amount since individual needs,
travel and living arrangements, shopping plans etc. vary widely.
Only you can decide on the amount to carry. In any event,do not
advertise to others either the amount of money you possess or its
place of safekeeping. You can never be too careful. The following
are some useful guidelines in this area:
a.
Have most of your money in the form of traveler’s' checks. They
are safe to carry, can be cashed almost anywhere, and are easily
replaced in case of theft or loss. Since your passport will have
been taken from you for the duration of your stay by the Saudi
authorities in Jeddah, the ID card issued by your muallim will most
probably be used for check cashing purposes. The importance of this
card cannot be over-emphasized. Take good care of it!
Besides
the Saudi banks, the travellers' checks can also be cashed at the
numerous "sarrafs" (money changers) located in the market
in Makkah and Madinah.
b.
Carry a small amount of Saudi riyals with you. A minimum of one
thousand riyals (1 Dollar = 3.75 Riyals) is recommended. You can
purchase them at almost all currency exchanges located in major
American airports. This Saudi currency will help you take care of
your immediate expenses upon your arrival until you become familiar
with the local system. You will also save time and aggravation
associated with making trips to the banks to cash your checks. All
banks tend to be crowded during the Hajj season and may also be
closed at certain times of the day and certain days of the week.
c.
Take only one credit card with you to minimize problems in case of
its loss. Make sure that you can use it to charge telephone calls
also. Do not forget to carry the information required to contact
the credit card issuing institution in case of its theft or
misplacement.
d.
Take some U.S. currency also with you. You can exchange it for
Saudi currency everywhere in emergencies, and may need it
immediately upon your return to the U.S.A.
6.
Clothing
Saudi
Arabia is a very hot part of the world most of the year. The
presence of two to three million pilgrims during Hajj in rather
congested spaces with the inevitable pushing and shoving adds to
the discomfort. The Hajj rites, ziyarat (i.e., visiting places of
religious or historical interest), shopping, etc. require
considerable walking and physical exertion. Consequently, light and
airy clothes for street wear are the best.
Take
enough changes of clothes to make your stay comfortable, but be
careful not to overburden yourself with unnecessary clothes. In the
hot Saudi Arabian weather, one set of clothes lasts only a day.
Professional laundry facilities are available in Saudi Arabia,
though coin-operated laundries are a rarity. Getting your clothes
cleaned professionally is quite expensive, particularly as the
prices tend to sky-rocket during the Hajj season.
Some
do-it-yourself light laundry may be necessary and is, indeed,
highly recommended. It is a good idea to pack some laundry
detergent, and wash your Ihram and other light items yourself. You
will have a considerable amount of spare time before and after
Hajj. Use it for "housekeeping".
For
street wear, Indo-Pak shalwar-qamees, and kurta-pajama as well as
the Saudi thoub (a one-piece head-to-toe garment) are ideal and are
recommended. Thoubs are easily available everywhere in Saudi
Arabia.
Depending
on the time of the year, you may want to pack a light sweater for
early morning wear in Madinah, which tends to be cool at that time
of day in November and December.
7.
Foods/Snacks/Water
There
is no real need for you to carry items of food with you. Everything
is readily available in Saudi Arabia at a reasonable cost. Saudi
authorities do not allow perishable food items to be brought into
the country in significant quantities anyway. Packaged and canned
products in limited quantities, however, may be brought in by
tourists and pilgrims. For emergencies and during periods of long
waiting (e.g., at Jeddah airport) carry-on food may come in useful
and handy. All kinds of food are available at Jeddah airport also.
Some people may, however, prefer to use their own food immediately
upon arrival in a foreign land. Some general guidelines are given
below:
a.
A couple of packs of cookies and crackers are helpful and provide a
good snack. Remove them from their boxes; they occupy much less
space as individual rolls. Granola bars, packaged dates, fig
newtons and similar items are recommended also.
b.
All varieties of fruits are easily obtainable everywhere in Saudi
Arabia and provide much needed flavor and nutrition. Peelable
fruits (bananas, oranges etc.) are recommended to minimize exposure
to infection from insanitary handling. Wash all fruits carefully
before use, and avoid fruits and food exposed to the elements.
c.
Soft drinks of all kinds are obtainable in Saudi Arabia at all
major and minor shopping establishments, and are entirely safe to
drink. Bottled water is cheap, and should be the only water you
drink.Tap water or water from any other source (except, of course,
the Zam-Zam water) should not be used for drinking purposes.
d.
Milk, yogurt, buttermilk, ice cream, and other dairy products are
widely available, and should be liberally used to supplement your
diet.
e.
Take two 18-oz cans of powdered POWERADE or GATORADE with you.
Mixed directly with a bottle of cold water, they make for a
nutritious and delicious drink and also serve to replenish body
salts and chemicals lost through the inevitable heavy perspiration.
8.
Miscellaneous
The
following is a list of items of daily use you should carry with
you. They will make your life easier, and your stay in Saudi Arabia
more comfortable.
a.
Multi-blade pocket knife, can opener, nail clipper, small scissors.
b.
Tooth brush, tooth paste, disposable razors, shaving cream, small
mirror, comb, toilet paper (2 rolls), napkins, soap (2 cakes),
plastic soap dish, small shampoo bottle, deodorant, chapstick,
small vaseline, tooth picks.
c.
Pocket Qur’an, tasbeeh, pen, pencil, notebook.
d.
Slippers (flip-flops, thongs, chappals), sneakers, folding
umbrella, sunglasses (or clip-on sunshades), small flash light with
extra batteries, travel alarm clock, elastic eye-glass holder,
baseball cap, 10 zippered sandwich bags, 4 garbage bags, plastic
spoons, laundry detergent, 6 plastic grocery bags.
e.
Towels (2 large, 2 small), musalla (i.e. prayer rug), one heavy
sheet, inflatable pillow.
Courtesy
of Islamic Foundation UK
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