Practical Hajj Tips

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Practical Hajj Tips
BrKhalid
02/14/01 at 06:22:42
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

These are a combination of things I was told and things I picked up whilst I was out there.

Hotel

Choose one within 5 mins walking distance of Haram if you can

When the crowds descend it will take you 20-30 mins to get to the Mosque.


Jumah

Go EARLY!!!!

Our first Jumah in Makkah the Adhaan was 12:05 or something and we got to Masjid Al Haram at 11am. BIG mistake. The concourse outside the Masjid was full let alone trying to get in there. We sat in the beating sun for over an hour and prayed.

The next week we got there at 9 am !!!


Tawaf

There are large groups who perform Tawaf together and link hands. If you see them approach you, then let them pass or step aside and give them way.

Also watch out for the elderly who are being carried around the Kabah and people taking their relatives around in wheelchairs.

As a rule the nearer the Kabah you perform your Tawaf the more squashed you will get and I mean squashed. This is especially true when going around Maqam Ibrahim because of the people trying to pray.


Arafat

Make the most of this day as possible.

Don't eat too much after Zuhur. The last thing you want to do is feel sleepy from having over eaten


Muzdalifah

You have to pray Fajr on the morning of Eid before you go back to Mina. Make sure you make a note of what time Fajr was when you were in Makkah. Some people make the Adhaan too early in an attempt to get to Mina early. Don't let them make you pray your Fajr before time


Mina

For those of you who haven't been there are three Jamarat all in a line with each other separated by 200m or so. The Saudi authorities have created what I can only describe as a flyover so that you can perform your stoning from the above tier as well as the lower tier. There is also a one way system on the top tier so that everyone starts from one end and moves to the other.

Each  Jamarat is surrounded by a circular wall and it is this circle that your stones have to enter after you've thrown.

We were very fortunate enough to be on the side of the mountain and we could see how the Hajjis were performing the stoning. On the top tier most Hajjis walk in a straight line and reach the front of the circle, consequently there is a HUGE crowd at the front of the circle as people wait for those in front to finish.

Because of this you should walk at the sides hugging the fence and avoid the front entirely. Walk PAST the Jamarat and then double back on yourself and throw from the back of the circle. Alhamdulillah we were able to place our hands on the circle wall and throw from there using this piece of advice.


Shopping

Check out the many bookshops. Lots of good stuff out there


Patience

You'll understand the meaning of that word when you encounter the crowds, the queues, the long waits etc etc etc
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
jannah
02/14/01 at 10:08:29
awesome bro! mind if i use this on the tips and tricks page?
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
BrKhalid
02/14/01 at 12:26:28
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

By all means
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
AbdulBasir
02/14/01 at 12:57:36
Great tips br. khalid...thanks!

wa alaikum salam
small things
AJ
02/20/01 at 12:33:39
Al_Salam Alaykum Wa Rahmatollah.
Please I need some suggestions and advice regarding Haj.

-Sneakers: Yes, No, Sometime? Slippers? Sandals?
-Backpack or hand bag?
-Sunglasses, umbrella, both?
-To carry passports, money, and tickets: waist pouches, discreet waist belts, underarm pouches, purchasable at army stores?
-Any other ostensibly insignificant but in reality important detail?

Thank you for any help.
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
BrKhalid
02/20/01 at 09:24:38
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

Well…..

-Sneakers: Yes, No, Sometime? Slippers? Sandals?

Personally I would suggest wear them to and from the airport if you want but thereafter a really good pair of sandals should do the trick


-Backpack or hand bag?

Either would do when you go to Arafat (depends what you most find comfortable carrying)

-Sunglasses, umbrella, both?

Shades are perfectly okay but I just feel it looks unbecoming to wear them there (especially if you've got your Ihram on). Stick to the trusted brolley.

We used to go the Mosque when it was really sunny with our prayer mats on our heads. Sure it looked weird but shade is shade ;-)

-To carry passports, money, and tickets: waist pouches, discreet waist belts, underarm pouches, purchasable at army stores?

Your hotel should have a safety deposit box for passports/tickets etc

Don't carry too much money when you go out. I personally don't like the Hajj belts that keep valuables for you but many find them okay.


Inshallah I hope that's helped somewhat. ;-)
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
Arsalan
02/20/01 at 09:51:38
[quote]Stick to the trusted brolley.[/quote]What's a brolley???
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
BrKhalid
02/20/01 at 17:32:31
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]What's a brolley??? [/quote]

*lol*

I sometimes forget that we use the same letters but speak a different language ;-)

Just an umbrella Br Arsalan
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
Arsalan
02/20/01 at 19:43:33
Man, amazing!

I checked the Webster's dictionary and the word is NOT there!!!

Then I checked the Oxford dictionary, and behold it's there!!! :)

Wassalamu alaikum.
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
bhaloo
02/20/01 at 19:48:38
slm

Maybe Kashif and crew can teach us how to speak British? ???
Re: Practical Hajj Tips
zakk
02/27/01 at 15:01:51
slm
these are some late tips.. maybe they can help someone next year....
-Buy lots of comfy rubber slippers-you will probably lose a few pairs.
-if your leader hasnt provided these already, make up cards in Arabic that say where you are staying-if you cant speak the language and get lost, these will really help.
-definitely do NOT keep a lot of money on your person- unfortunately, when i went there were a lot of pick pockets, one man even had this happen to him whilst doing tawaf.
-Rack up blessings: whenever you can, buy some extra food to share with other Hajis, many stay outside for lack of accomodations.
-If you wear glasses, get sports bands or those long string things so you won't lose them.  They will most probably get knocked off once and there is no way you can bend over and pick them up without being trampled.
-Buy those little collapsable cups to use in Zamzam
- Keep yourself hydrated-one bro in our group got so dehydrated he became ill and the hajj was nearly impossible for him.
-DO NOT leave your group in Muzdalifah- everything looks the same and you can get really lost.

If I think of anything else, I will post.


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