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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 or her lifetime:
a. One must be of
sound mind and in full control of one’s mental faculties.
b. One must be old
enough and mature enough to understand the full import and
significance of what one is setting out to do.
c. One must be
financially sound enough to be able to bear all the expenses
for Hajj and to provide adequately for dependents during
one’s absence until one’s 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 lawful (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
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 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 will 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 probably 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. A large number of travel agencies offer Hajj
services but not all of their offers 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 troubleshooter 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 let him give you specific answers. Some important questions
are listed below:
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 Al-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 Al-Haram Ash-Shareef will be 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 traveling 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 mutawwif? 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 20 to 30
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, and so on. 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
Dhul-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 with either 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 as
well.
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
and tetanus 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 traveled 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 do not 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 an American 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 paperwork. 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
mutawwif 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 United States or another non-Muslim country, you may be
required to have a certificate issued by a competent authority
(the imam of your local mosque for example) 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 of your will should also be given a copy and your
attorney should probably retain a copy as well. 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, Sa`i, Rami, and so on) 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 condition 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 20 to 30 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 or 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 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 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 its 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 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 Ka`bah, 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 someone else
closely 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 that is
a member of her immediate family with whom her marriage is
expressly prohibited by the Shari`ah, such as her father,
brother, son, uncle. A female pilgrim who is 45 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 relatively 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
carefree. 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,
plain cloth. It is preferable that it be either 100 percent cotton
or light terrycloth. These are cool to wear and provide better
absorption of the heavy perspiration you will inevitably
experience during Hajj. The sizes of the two pieces are as
follows:
Bottom Part: 45 in. x 3-1/3 yd. (115 cm x 3 m)
Top Part: 45 in. x 2 yd. (115 cm x 1.8 m)
a. Tear off two
strips 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) wide of a sufficient length
from the same material. Use one as a belt to secure the bottom
portion of the Ihram garment. Keep the other as a spare. An
ordinary belt or fanny belt may 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 Al-Haram Ash-Shareef.
b. Tear off one strip
8–10 inches (20–25 cm) wide of sufficient length from the
same material. Use it to secure money, credit cards, airline
ticket, and so on, around your midriff under the ihram. Use a
plastic sandwich bag inside this makeshift 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, handkerchief, and a small amount of money for daily use.
Your fanny pouch will be inspected by the police at the
entrance to Al-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 immunity and resistance, thereby
making you more vulnerable to disease. However, you can take
elementary precautions to minimize your chances of becoming ill,
and to ensure that you will get back on your feet faster if 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 (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 75 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 own doctor.
b. Carry a reasonable
supply of over-the-counter drugs:
Pain killers such as
aspirin, or paracetamol
Sleep-aids such as
Tylenol PM
Pain relieving creams
such as Bengay or Aspercreme (for muscular pain)
Antidiarrheals such
as Peptobismol or Immodium
Antiemetics such as
Emetrol (for nausea)
c. Cough drops,
multivitamins, antibacterial creams and plaster dressings (for
cuts) are also useful items to take with you.
It is important to carry a warning card if you
suffer from diabetes or heart disease etc.
3. Waist Pouch (Fanny Pouch)
Keep valuables (documents, money, travelers’
checks, keys, credit cards, and so on) 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 Al-Haram Ash-Shareef! Hold on to the pouch with your hand in crowds, while
doing Tawaf or when visiting Al-Masjid An-Nabawi (The Prophet’s
Mosque) in Madinah. Buy a good quality fanny belt or pouch. It is
a small but very good investment.
4. Suitcase
Hard-case 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. In spite
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. Cleaning
staff will periodically clean your residential room, and the best
way to keep everyone 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, 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, living arrangements, shopping plans, and
so on, 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 travelers’ 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 mutawwif
will most probably be used to cash your checks. The importance
of this card cannot be over-emphasized. Take good care of it!
Besides the Saudi banks, the travelers' checks
can also be cashed at the numerous moneychangers located in
Makkah and Madinah.
b. Carry a small
amount of Saudi riyals with you. A minimum of 1,000 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 they
may close 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 hotline in case of its theft or misplacement.
d. Take some US
dollars with you as you can easily exchange them for Saudi
currency in emergencies or on your immediate arrival back
home.
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 and with the inevitable pushing
and shoving adds to the discomfort. The Hajj rites, ziyarat
(visiting places of religious or historical interest), shopping,
and so on 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 items. 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 skyrocket during the
Hajj season.
Some do-it-yourself light laundry may be necessary
and is highly recommended. It is a good idea to pack some laundry
detergent and wash your ihram garment and other light items
yourself. You will have a considerable amount of spare time before
and after Hajj. Use it for "housekeeping."
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. Anyway, Saudi authorities do not allow
perishable food items to be brought into the country in
significant quantities. Tourists and pilgrims, however, may bring
in packaged and canned products in limited quantities. All kinds
of food are available at Jeddah airport. However, some people may
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 bars and
similar items are recommended too.
b. All varieties of
fruits are easily obtainable everywhere in Saudi Arabia and
provide much needed flavor and nutrition. Peelable fruits
(bananas, oranges and the like) 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 Zamzam water) should not be used for drinking purposes.
d. Milk, yogurt,
buttermilk, ice cream, and other dairy products are widely
available and should be used liberally to supplement your
diet.
e. Take two 18-oz.
cans of powdered Powerade or Gatorade, or any other energy
drink with you. Mixed directly with a bottle of cold water,
they make for a nutritious and delicious drink and 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
pocketknife, can opener, nail clipper, small scissors.
b. Toothbrush,
toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, small mirror,
comb, toilet paper, napkins, soap, plastic soap dish, small
shampoo bottle, deodorant, chapstick, Vaseline, toothpicks.
c. Pocket Qur’an,
tasbeeh (prayer beads), pen, pencil, and 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), prayer rug, one heavy sheet, inflatable pillow.
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