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:
He must be of sound mind, and in full control of
his mental faculties.
He must be old enough, and mature enough to
understand the full import, and significance of
what he is setting out to do.
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:
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.
All Hajj expenses must be paid out of money
obtained through legitimate (Halal) means.
Money obtained through illegitimate or doubtful
means is not acceptable.
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.
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:
What will be the duration of your stay in Mecca
and Medina? 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?
How far away will you be staying from Haram
ash Shareef, both in Mecca and in Medina? 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?
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.
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.
Will you have the option of travelling within
Saudi Arabia, (for example from Mecca to
Medina), 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 Medina 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 Mecca to Medina
(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.
What kind of arrangements will be made for your
stay in Mina and Arafat? How about the food
arrangements in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah?
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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 Mecca and Medina, 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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 Mecca and
Medina. Be patient and understanding as the
police are only doing their job.
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.
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.
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)
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 Medina. Buy a good quality fanny belt
or pouch. It is a small but a very good
investment.
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 Mecca and
Medina 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.
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:
Have most of your money in the form of
travellers’ 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 Mecca and Medina.
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.
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.
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.
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 tobes (a one-
piece head-to-toe garment) are ideal and are
recommended. Tobes 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 Medina, which tends to be cool at that
time of day in November and December.
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 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.
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.
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.
Milk, yogurt, buttermilk, ice cream, and other
dairy products are widely available, and should
be liberally used to supplement your diet.
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.
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.
multi-blade pocket knife, can opener, nail
clipper, small scissors, 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, pocket Quran, tasbeeh, pen, pencil,
notebook, 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, towels (2
large, 2 small), musalla (i.e. prayer rug), one
heavy sheet, inflatable pillow.
Credit:islamicity
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