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General Tips:
- Keep the cards which are given to you by the
Mutawwif (guide) as permits for the camp at Mina with you (useful
for directions).
- Drink lots of water and juice. Carry some
bottled water at all times. AVOID carbonated drinks and solid
foods during the Six Days of Hajj. Yoghurt, milk, and fruit juices
provide vital nutrients.
- During Hajj, always be prepared to leave
earlier than planned. For example, if your Mutawwif asks you to be
ready by 6 am for going to Mina, be ready earlier. In case, the
buses arrive sooner, you can leave sooner. The buses could be
early or late, it is all very erratic.
- During the six days of Hajj, make sure that you
are in the correct area for each ritual. There are massive pillars
that mark the boundaries of Makkah, Mina, `Arafah and Muzdalifah.
The areas are NOT regular geometrically.
- Because of all the traffic and people, one
tends to get confused and may not realize that they are not in the
correct locality.
- Do NOT rely on the bus drivers for directions.
Most of them are from foreign countries and do NOT know the area
well enough.
- Be READY and WILLING TO WALK between the
localities so you can be present at the correct locations at the
required times if transportation is unavailable, due to traffic
gridlocks or accidents. Even if transportation is available it
easier to walk and get to the next location quickly.
- It is easy to get lost since all places seem
similar. So, be careful.
- It is always important to define a certain
landmark in mina, and in all places of Makkah, to go to in case
one gets lost.
- Mobile phones prove very useful and practical
while performing hajj. Temporary prepaid cards are available in
Saudi Arabia during the season of Hajj which provide you the
service of mobile phone.
Approximate Distances:
1. Makkah to Mina: 5 miles (8 KM)
2. Makkah to `Arafah: 14 miles (22.4 KM)
3. Mina to `Arafah: 9 miles (14.4 KM)
4. Mina to Muzdalifah: 1.8 miles (3 KM)
`Arafah:
- You have to be within the boundary of the
specified area of `Arafah so that your standing be correct. For
example, when you go to stand in `Arafah, make sure you are WITHIN
`Arafah's marked boundaries during the time. Signs that demarcate
`Arafah from other areas are all along the `Arafah's boundary.
It is important that you understand these signs. On the 9th day of
Dhul-Hijjah you have to stay remain within the boundaries of `Arafah so that your Hajj be valid.
- There is a portion of Namirah Mosque that is
NOT considered in `Arafah. Avoid being in that portion while
staying in `Arafah.
- Be careful not to expose yourself to sun for a
long time, which may affect your health badly.
Muzdalifah:
- After staying in `Arafah, one has to be in
"Muzdalifah" till Fajr Prayer. Hajjis need to take
precautions that they remain WITHIN Muzdalifah.
- Avoid spending your night on mountains. This is
not safe.
Mina:
- Going for Rami in the heat, with the huge
crowd, is physically very taxing.
- Try to choose the most suitable time for
throwing pebbles. Avoid throwing pebbles when the place around
Jamarat is overcrowded.
- It is STRONGLY recommended not to accompany
children while throwing pebbles. You may keep them with a friend
in your group.
- The people who are not able to throw pebbles on
their own are allowed to have other persons throw on their behalf.
- When going for Rami, do NOT take ANYTHING
EXCEPT the pebbles, a little money for emergency, your ID card and
your Mina Tent Card. The rush is significant and you will NOT be
able to care of extra items.
- During Rami, be very careful. FOLLOW ALL the
traffic directions and the instructions of the Saudi police. If
you DROP anything or lose your slippers, you should NOT bend to
pick it up. You can be trampled very quickly. Unfortunately most
deaths in the past have occurred during Rami.
- Furthermore, be patient. It only takes about a
minute to complete Rami (for each person) so there is NO need to
rush or push. With patience, you will Insha' Allah be able to
perform it properly.
- The most important thing is to have your
pebbles thrown in the basin of Jamarat. There is no need for
targeting the pillars with you pebbles.
- Do NOT throw things other than small pebbles.
It is not an act of Sunnah to throw wood, slippers, big stones or
the like. Doing so one will most likely harm others which is
prohibited.
- After performing Rami, proceed along the ROUTE
PRESCRIBED by the Saudi authorities. Do NOT go against the flow of
hajjis near the Jamarat. Follow the directions and avoid
stampedes.
- The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has set up
booths around Makkah and Mina, to facilitate buying coupons for
slaughtering and distributing sacrifice and expiation animals.
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