Introduction
Like all journeys in life, the more you put into it the more you will get out of it and the journey of a lifetime to Hajj is no different. Study well and your efforts will pay off inshallah.
The idea of the online resources portal was simply to assist those blessed people that Almighty Allah has invited to his house and give them a head start by putting together some resources that will inshallah assist them.
Even if you are not going for Hajj this year, this is a perfect time to plan for Hajj 2024. It’s never too early to start planning and preparing for Hajj.
Please note: All the books in this article are according to Hanafi Fiqh.
Travel Preparations
Study well as this will help you throughout your entire journey.
The Fiqh of Hajj
I would highly recommend that you read the Hajj and Umrah Guide at least a few times prior to travel and also refer to it during the Blessed journey of Hajj as well. Inshallah the book will assist you greatly during the entire journey.
Click on the link below to read the Hajj and Umrah Guide:
The Urdu version of the above is available from the link below and is a brilliant book in the Urdu language:
A Simple Guide To Hajj And Umrah
Below is the link to a simple guide to Hajj and Umrah which is perfect for those people that are in Saudi or on the way to Saudi. It’s a simple and straightforward guide and very easy to understand.
Below is the link for Muallim Ul Hujjaj:
This is particularly beneficial for the Ulema and those that speak and understand Urdu only. This is also useful for finding out the penalties for mistakes in Hajj and Umrah.
Below is the link for Zubdatul Manasik:
This is also beneficial for those that speak and understand Urdu.
Below is the link for Anwarul Manasik:
This is also beneficial for those that speak and understand Urdu.
The Virtues of Hajj
I would recommend reading The Virtues of Hajj by Sheikh ul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Zakariya (RA) before travelling to Hajj and taking a copy with you on your blessed journey. This will assist you with the spiritual aspect of Hajj.
Click on the link below to read the book:
How to perform Hajj, Umrah and the Ziyarat of Madinah Al Munawwarah
I would also recommend purchasing and reading the following the following books on how to perform Hajj, Umrah and how to perform the Ziyarat of Madinah Al Munawwarah by Hazrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat Sahib.
To make it easy I have added the links to the PDF format of some of the books so they can be accessed easily by everyone. These books are simple and straightforward.
Audio guides
You can listen to the lectures of Hazrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat Sahib from the link below. These are downloadable as well.
Please click on the link below to listen to the audio guides:
A woman’s guide to Hajj and Umrah
The best book for women that I have come across is A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO HAJJ & UMRAAH by Mufti Muhammad Faruq Sahib. The book is available to purchase by clicking on the link below:
What to take with you to Hajj
A suggested checklist
The following is just a suggested checklist and of course you can adjust according to your needs and requirements:
Passport Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return journey.
Airplane Tickets make a photocopy of them.
Meningitis certificate. I would suggest getting this done at least 10 days prior to traveling.
Covid Certificate Currently you need to be fully vaccinated.
Hajj Visa
Hajj package details
A photocopy of your travel documents Take one copy with you and leave one copy with family at home. You can email a copy to yourself.
Money Keep this with you and don’t put in your suitcase that will go into the hold of the plane. Exchange some money at the airport, this will allow you to:-
- Buy drinks and snacks at Jeddah Airport and the service station on the way to Makkah Al Mukarramah or Madinah Al Munawwarah depending on where you are going first.
- Buy a Saudi Sim at the airport. You will need this for the Nusuk App. You can also buy a Saudi Sim in Makkah Al Mukarramah and Madinah Al Munawwarah.
- Buy food and drinks when you arrive in Makkah Al Mukarramah or Madinah Al Munawwarah.
- Pay for your hair cut after you have completed your Ummah.
Travel pouch This is to carry your passport, tickets and money etc. look after your money and don’t take large amounts of money with you when you go to perform Tawaaf or go for Salaat.
Ihraam (Plus a spare one). You can change your Ihraam if need be. This can be changed as many times as need be.
Ihraam belt. This can be used to hold up your Ihraam. This can also be used to carry some money. If you going to Haram to do tawaaf then don’t take loads of money with you. Only take that much with you that will pay for the shaving of your head and buy some food and drinks.
Flip flops. These are the basic flip flops where the middle upper bone of the foot will remain exposed. Having the upper bone exposed in the state of Ihraam is only for the men and not for the women.
Wear the flip flops for a few weeks prior to travel so that they are broken into.
In the video below Dr Mohammed Jiva Sahib from the British Hajj Delegation talks about foot hygiene and the importance of comfortable footwear.
For further information on the above flip flops, click on the link below. Currently there is is Free Shipping and 90 days return policy.
A comfortable pair of sandals. These are to wear outside the state of Ihraam
Notebook and pen Take a notebook and pen with you. Some of the benefits are:
- Use it to make notes at the Hajj seminars and webinars
- It is perfect for making notes as you are study the Hajj and Umrah books
- Perfect for writing down all the Duas that you you make when you see Ka’ba for the first time and also during Tawaaf. Remember that you can make Dua in any language during Tawaaf.
- Ideal for jotting down information throughout your journey ie. flight times, flight reservation number etc.
- Perfect for creating your travel dairy of your journey of a lifetime.
Tasbeeh (and a tawaaf tasbeeh) A tawaaf tasbeeh is a tasbeeh with seven beads used for counting the rounds of tawaf.
Mobile phone & Charger Make sure the the you phone is unlocked and can be used abroad.
Power bank - This will inshallah prove useful in the five days of Hajj.
Travel adaptor This is the two pin one that you would use in European countries and the one that you would use in Palestine on a trip to Masjid Al Aqsa.
Toiletries Don’t forget to take a pair of scissors to cut your wife’s hair after she has completed her Hajj and Umrah.
Shoe bag. This will allow you to keep your sandals with you in Masjid Al Haraam and also in Masjid Al Nabawi.
Medicine Make sure that you have enough medicine for the entire duration of your journey.
List of medication -
Clothes Don’t take too many clothes as you will most likely buy clothes from there as well. The weather is going to be hot, plan accordingly.
Musallah (Prayer mat) - To pray your five times prayers on the way.
Sunglasses
Reading glasses - (if required)
Cooling mist This is quite useful in the heat. You can use it in the state of Ihraam as well because it’s not fragranced. If you are going for Hajj then definitely take a few bottles.. It’s only 99p from Bodycare. Remember not to put this in your hand luggage as it is over 100ml.
Take plenty of cooling mist bottles with you. These are very useful in the summer heat.
Umbrella This will protect you from the sun and also the rain if it happens to rain.
A marker pen This is to write your address on the Zam Zam box.
An iron if required.
Reusable water bottle (Highly Recommended) This is perfect for carrying Zam Zam water with you and ensuring that you stay hydrated all day. The stainless steel bottles keep the water cold for many hours.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
What to take with you to Mina for the five days of Hajj
Click on the video below for the Mina Checklist:
The following is a suggested checklist and of course you can adjust according to your needs and requirements:
Rucksack - This is to carry your stuff. Try to travel light as possible.
A spare Ihraam
Ihraam belt
Hajj books (Masa’il/Fiqh books)
Dua books (Hizbul Azam etc)
Tasbeeh (& Tawaaf Tasbeeh)
Travel pouch
Mobile phone & Charger
Travel adaptor
Toiletries
Flip flops
Shoe bag
Pebble bag
Medicine
A change of clothes
Musallah (Prayer mat)
Power bank - This will inshallah prove useful in the five days of Hajj.
Cooling mist bottles
Reusable water bottle
Umbrella
A roll of toilet paper - You will need this in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa
Vaseline
How to tie the Ihraam
In the video below Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Sahib shows how to tie the Ihraam.
I would recommend practicing how to tie the Ihraam before you travel so you get used to it. Also adjust your Ihraam belt from beforehand so that you not messing around with it or the day that you depart for Hajj.
For videos on how to perform Hajj and Umrah, please click on the link below:
Credits:
Created with images by Abdullah_Shakoor - "religious muhammad religion"