In the age of technology, Hajj is suppose to be easy for the pilgrims. However, there are plenty of things that can, and do, go wrong. This is a result of insufficient planning and administration, lack of care by the pilgrims themselves, unprofessionalism from the groups who look after pilgrims, transport problems and pollution.
This guide has been prepared by people who have performed Hajj in the last few years. It aims to provide advice and information so that you can avoid potential problems, by taking precautions beforehand.
Please take advantage of the practical advice given here. Inshallah it will help you in many ways.
Before leaving for HajjMake a Will
It is a good Islamic practice to write a Will if you have anything to leave behind in inheritance. Leave the Will document with your family.
Medication
Make sure you have your essential medicine with you. Even if you don't use it regularly, take it with you in case you may need it.
Pilgrims usually suffer from one or more of the following:
• sore throat
• coughing
• frequent sneezing
• runny nose
• fever
Take enough supplies of medication. For example sore throat tablets, pain killers like aspirin, headache tablets, tissues for the nose and personal use. Also take herbal drinks.
If you suffer from asthma, you MUST take the pump with you. It is very dusty in many of the places you'll be visiting.
Take multivitamins daily as you may not be eating a balanced diet there.
Flatulence (passing of wind) is an important cause of the loss of wudu. In the crowded Haram, this can be a big problem as wudu is required for tawaf. Avoid or reduce the intake of food that contribute to this problem. If this is a serious problem for you, consult your doctor. Both herbal and other medications [antacid antiflatulent] are now available to reduce the occurrence of flatulence.
In Makkah, some single pilgrims will be staying in rooms that will have 4 to 10 persons per room. If you snore loudly and continuously, you can make life miserable for you roommates. Medication and treatment are now available for this condition. Consult your doctor before you leave for Hajj.
Exercise
The Hajj involves lots of walking. If you don't go for daily walks, start exercising before leaving for Hajj. This is especially important for Muslims from Western countries where little walking is done.
Eye Care
If you wear glasses, bring along an extra pair, if you have one, preferably one with a plastic frame. The likelihood of your glasses falling down and being stepped on by sudden movements of the crowd are high.
Also bring along your eye prescription. There are optical shops near the Haram where you can get glasses made in an emergency.
For those wearing contact lenses, try to bring extra pair. You will find difficult to buy contact lenses during Hajj.
Dental Care
Have a dental check-up, and do repairs, before your departure. It is not nice to have a severe toothache while performing Hajj. You will not find a regular dentist during the Hajj.
Foot Injuries
Foot injury is a common injury. Take some bandages with you, in case you cut your foot on a sharp stone or object. People throw all sorts of rubbish on the road, so step carefully.
Take an extra pair of slippers with you. You may lose one and find it hard to find it or replace it.
Also take a small mat with you.
Face Masks
For those who have breathing difficulties, try to take a face mask. These are available from any large chemists in your country.
Other Personal Care Items
Take the following with you: - a bar of soap, with a soap dish
- small bottle of shampoo
- a clothes hanger or a small plastic bag
- towel
After the ihram restrictions are lifted, you will need these items at Mina. Organizers usually do not provide these.
Take clothes that don't need ironing.
At MakkahBy Air
If you are flying in from outside Saudi Arabia, you may have to wait for many hours at the airport at Jeddah. This could be anything from 2 to 12 hours. So make sure you have some water to drink and something to eat, like fruit. When you leave the airport, it will take up to 2 hours to reach Makkah by road.
The administration can be a nightmare at the airport, and be prepared for some long waits.
By Road
If are traveling by road in a bus or transport organized by your operator, you will not have too many problems.
If you are taking your own car, then you will be asked to park the car at the allocated Hajj car parks, which are situated just outside Makkah. Your car will stay there until Hajj is finished. You will get a ticket for the car. Keep this safely as it is the only proof that the car belongs to you. Your car will be safe there, but avoid leaving valuable in the car. Also ensure that your car battery is charged well, otherwise the car will not start after many days being parked. Keep your car keys safe as well!
After you have parked your car, you will get a government bus from the car park to the Haram in Makkah. You must have local currency for bus fare, which is around 10 Saudi Riyals.
Beggars and Pickpockets
Be aware – sadly there is lots fraud, even in and around the Haram. People from poorer countries (especially Africans) often beg, and tell stories of their misfortunes. They are many professional beggars during Hajj period, as that is their prime season.
Sadly, there are many Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi men and women who are professional cons as well. You may find them telling you stories about their stolen money and passport. Direct them to the Saudi authorities who will help them, if they are genuine cases.
Pickpockets also operate, even inside the Haram.
Other Advice
At Makkah, they may be people in wheel chairs, so be careful how you pass them, either they may get hurt or you will.
Don’t sit and block passage ways in the mosques. It causes hardship for others.
At MinaCamps
Finding your camp will be difficult as there are no maps, so stay closely with your organizers. They know where to go.
Camps are numbered, remember this number. There are also large multi colored balloons flying high about camps. These are land marks, so take note of the balloon colors. If you get lost, do not panic.
The tents will be tightly packed with people, especially for Pakistani and other developing countries. American, European and Saudi camps are generally better organized.
Traffic
The traffic is a badly organized everywhere. This include indiscriminate parking, improperly maintained buses that break down, accidents and the quarrels or disputes that follow, inadequate traffic enforcement personnel in some areas, drivers who disregard traffic rules.
Food
Food will be provided to you. However, plan your diet so that you don't have to go to the toilet frequently.
Take a small unbreakable cup with you. Useful for the elderly.
Toilets
In some camps, there may be long queues for toilets. Try to make wudu well before the salah times.
Other Advice
Don't lose your temper with people in your group, especially after ihram is taken off, it is not an indication to misbehave. You are still at Mina and in the Hajj process.
Stoning the Shaytan (after returning from Arafat and Muzdalifah)
When walking to the Jumarat for stoning, follow the direction of the crowd. Do not attempt to go opposite way.
There will be 5 bridge levels for stoning from 2006 Hajj onwards. Just follow the level allocated to your camp.
The pillars for stoning are oval shaped, thin and many meters wide. Try to go towards the end of the pillar, as many people crowd at the front. Do not panic, just walk around the crowd and you will be very near to the pillar and you can stone safely.
When stoning, if you drop your pebble accidently, then don’t pick it up. You may get trampled.
Take a few extra pebbles per person. You never know someone else may need it.
At ArafatYou can go to Arafat by yourself or with your group. We recommend that you stay with your group as you may not be able to find your spot in Arafat if you walk there.
Your group camp will have toilets and wash facilities and some refreshments.
If you are traveling by bus, be prepared for between 2 and 4 hours journey as there is massive amount of traffic. There are no toilets on the way.
Please throw your litter in the bins provided.
At MuzdalifahSleeping
You will spend the night in Muzdalifah. Everyone will be sleeping on the ground, in the open air. You group should provide sleeping bags and blankets, but enquire about this beforehand.
For men, they will be in ihram and they need to be aware of the cold weather. It will be very cold during December –January period Hajj period.
Be aware of the cold weather for children.
Collecting Pebbles
You will collect pebbles from Muzdalifah, so make sure you talk a small plastic bag with you to carry pebbles.
Collect extra pebbles than what is required, as you may drop some while stoning during the next few days.
Going to Makkah for TawafIf you can, walk to Makkah from Mina for the tawaf. It will between 30 minutes to 1 hour, and it is a straight road with lots of signs. Going by coach may take many hours.
In a very crowded Haram, kissing the Black Stone can be dangerous, even if you are near it. Pilgrims coming out of this attempt are dehydrated and in a daze; and some sustain injuries.
General Advice- Don't litter Makkah or anywhere. It is holy land. Have some conscience, take your litter back to your camp, or put it in the bins provided nearby.
- Do not spit on the ground.
- Use tissue paper or handkerchief to blow your nose.
- Avoid idle talk.
- Remain calm. Remain focused on the big picture. Think about your pleas and pledges to Allah (swt).
- Immerse yourself in various types of worship - reading the Qur'an, zikr and dua.
- You'll be able to spot individuals in your tent who are knowledgeable about Islam. Get close to them and seek clarifications about matters that are not clear to you.
- Don’t push others while performing tawaf, sa'ee and especially stoning the Shaytan.
- Price haggling is the norm. Pilgrims from countries where this is NOT the norm are clearly at a disadvantage.
- Most shops in the areas near the Harams in Makkah and Madinah do not accept credit cards. Take cash. The only places where credit cards can be used are five-star hotels and some jewellery shops.
- Coins are never used, although Saudi currency coins exist. If you pay SR 3 for SR 2.50 product, you'll be given one or two tiny packets of chewing gum as "change".
- Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and Malay are widely spoken in the shops. Use of English is rare.
- Money change bureaus are available, so you can change any currency at any time.
- There are many public telephone call offices, so making international calls is not a problem.
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