certain conditions must perform Haj at least once in their
lifetime. What are these conditions? Are there any
prerequisites of Haj? The answers to these and many other
similar questions can help you in making decisions, and in
planning for Haj in a better and more efficient fashion.
Who must perform Haj
Every Muslim who fulfills the following conditions must
perform Haj 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 Haj but also to provide
adequately for his dependents during his absence and until
his return.
Prerequisites of Haj
Since Haj 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 Haj solely for the sake
of Allah. Considerations of pleasing or impressing others
with your show of piety should never be a factor.
b. All Haj 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 the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) and must be followed for the Haj to be
meaningful.
Preparations for Haj
Since Haj 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 Haj 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 Haj 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 Haj. You may find several travel agencies all
over your country that offer Haj 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
troubleshooter during Haj. 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 Haj, 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 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 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 Haj, 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 Haj 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 20-30 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 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 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 Haj
visa. The World Health Organization issues annual
guidelines and requirements concerning vaccinations for
travel to various countries including Saudi Arabia. In
accordance with the International Health Regulations 2005,
all travelers arriving from countries or areas at risk of yellow
fever must present a valid yellow fever vaccination
certificate showing that the person was vaccinated at least
10 days and at most 10 years before arrival at the border.
Check either with your travel agent or the Saudi Arabian
Embassy for additional requirements.
To be continued next week
Courtesy: Islamic Foundation UK
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