Random Tips for 1st time Hajis'

**abdushakur** · 13-12-2004, 04:34 PM

Alhamdulillah the majority of my family have undertaken the haj so i'll just jot down a few anecdotes that may be of benefit to those that are going this year:

1. do not be put off by all those silly 'scare' stories saying that haj is very hard and there are multitudes of pickpocket thiefs out there and tawaf is like a battle with ppl trying to kiss the black stone.
we should be encouraging ppl to go on haj - not scaring them before theyve even gone!

2. expect alot of waiting around when u get to the haji terminal in jeddah.
valuable sleeping or zikr time depending on how alert u are.

3. if u are going with females, it is wise not to stone the jamarats at the afdhal (most recommended) time, as that time is hard to hold ur own weight let alone someone else's with all the crowd movements etc.
a better time would be after zuhr when there is more peace and hence better concentration in the amal.

[i'll be back later inshallah]

if others have points that may be of benefit, please feel free to add...

**abdushakur** · 14-12-2004, 08:43 AM

4. some haj packages offer food as part of the deal.
u will probably find that ur appetite for food is very much reduced when in the holy lands and u will probably only feel like eating one full meal a day and then snacking in between. try to stay off all those curries! it will make u lazy and heavy - not good for ibadat. eat light and drink much zamzam which is freely available in the haramayn.

5. tawaf on the ground floor (ie. main tawat area) is a slow process and ur body will be pressed against all the other hajis'.
if u want a free-flowing-fast-walking-dodge-those-fellow-haji experience then the first floor is the one for u.
top floor (second floor) is a bit tough bcos of the lack of cover from the sun.
and tawaf at midday is TOUGH! the sun makes a BIG appearence then!

6. it is quite chilly around fajr time in both makkah and madina so a jumper/sweater/hoody and a pair of socks wouldn't go amiss. ie. they are a good idea!

7. shopping wise - there is more choice in makkah (in my experience).
sorry! had to put that in! and for all gold buyers out there...the gold in makkah is cheaper bcos the 'making' charge is waived by the 'shaykhs' during the haj season (apparently - my mate told me)

**abdushakur** · 14-12-2004, 09:49 AM

8. if u forget to take any items related to haj after u hav boarded the plane (or ship, or camel) do not worry - u can buy all those things cheaply in makkah/madina - clothes, slippers, wallets, prayer mats, sleeping mats etc etc

9. the mount of mercy in arafat is not an easy climb when wearing flip flops - be careful!

10. it feels like there are about 10 toilets to every 1000 ppl in muzdalifah, therefore it makes sense to relieve oneself beforehand in arafat...or wake up extra extra early.

**auron** · 14-12-2004, 08:41 PM

seek sabr in the prophets and sahabas footsteps and memories

**abdushakur** · 17-12-2004, 02:33 PM

11. at the entrances to the haramayn u will have ur bag checked if it looks like u will have a camera or foodstuff inside. theres nothing to worry about. just dont take foodstuff or cameras inside the haramayn. they are fine with u taking bags in containing water, books, musallas, tasbihs etc etc.

12. if u want to get INSIDE the main masjid so u can glimpse the kaba then make sure u head for the masjid BEFORE the azan. cos as soon as the azan is called u get CROWDS and CROWDS of ppl all wanting to get in.
and remember there is also an azan for tahajjud!

13. there is a good chance that u will catch at least a slight cold/fever over there with all the close contact u will have with peeps from all over the muslim world....so its a good idea to take some medicine from home that u know helps u recover from such things....like beechams, parecetomol, lozenges etc.

14. dont take ur sense of direction for granted when u get over there. it is EASY to get lost especially when the crowds get HUGE like after salah and at the end of yaumul arafah.
best to stick with ur group and dont wander far. when the crowds get big even landmarks tend to disappear. be careful.

**abdushakur** · 17-12-2004, 02:41 PM

15. keep ur strength up in preparation for the hajj days.
pace ur ibadat so that u dont tire urself out b4 the big day of arafat.
eat sensibly and avoid big heavy meals.

16. dont be surprised to be approached by beggars in the haramayn. many are false....and Allah knows best. ur heart is a good guide to who is a false beggar or not inshallah.

17. dont worry if u havent chnged money yet. u can get a very good rate in the markets of makkah and madina....u will find money exchangers with their own 'shops' dotted around the other shops...changing £50 at a time is good.

18. a little bit of arabic goes a loooong way. the arabs love it when u even try to speak their lingo. simple phrases like "how r u", "how much is this?", "sorry i dont know arabic" etc will be appreciated.
when in rome....

19. dont worry if u dont get a chance to 'buy' some zamzam from makkah....u can also pick it up from madina!

20. remember this humble servant in ur duas. jazakallah khayr.

**abdushakur** · 22-12-2004, 04:22 PM

no random tips from anyone else?

**ia132** · 26-12-2004, 10:26 PM

Your tips are much appreciated bro.

One point: I read from Hazrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat's guide to performing the Hajj that,"It is bid'ah to climb Jabale Rahmat during wuqoof." (the stay at Arafat)

Not sure if you knew that. May Allah forgive our mistakes.

**abdushakur** · 28-12-2004, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by ia132

Your tips are much appreciated bro.

One point: I read from Hazrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat's guide to performing the Hajj that,"It is bid'ah to climb Jabale Rahmat during wuqoof." (the stay at Arafat)

Not sure if you knew that. May Allah forgive our mistakes.

jazakallah khayr for that.

i think i climbed it before the 'arafat' time ie. b4 zuhr just so that i could kno that i stood at a place that Rasoolullah (peace upon him) also stood at.
i didnt do it for any particular thawab....just a connection.

but thanx for ur warning....its good man.