Step by Step Hajj & Umrah Manual

PRACTICAL TIPS TO NOTE BEFORE YOUR HAJJ TRAVEL

• Attend the hajj seminars and workshops conducted by your Hajj tour company (operator)

• Benefit with written or audio visual material on hajj and umrah rites

• If there is something you do not understand, ask questions and get clear answers before you start the journey

• Make sure you have all the travel documents necessary before you leave for Hajj

• Get the suggested list of items you need for your hajj trip and pack accordingly.  It is better if you find out the maximum weight allowance for each passenger beforehand.

• Although most airlines flying out from Jeddah allow hajj passengers to carry zam zam water on board in addition to the maximum weight allowance it is better to find out in advance if it can be done

• Allow some flexibility in your departure schedule as it may not be possible for you to depart on scheduled dates due to some unforeseen circumstances  particularly for women if the have to delay tawaf of hajj (tawaf-ziyarah) due to menstrual cycle

• If  women want to avoid the disturbance and delays in performing the hajj rites, they should consult with their doctor and take proper medications to delay or differ the menstruation cycle

• All the flights to Jeddah airport cross the miqat before they land in Jeddah therefore you must be in the state of Ihram when landing in Jeddah airport

• If you are traveling direct to Jeddah, you will assume Ihram before you board the plane other wise you enter Ihram at any transit stop enroute to Jeddah.  Your group leader will advise you about it.  You will have lots of help from your fellow hajjis, or your group leader who accompany’s your group.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION BEFORE HAJJ

YOUR CONDUCT DURING YOUR HAJJ TRIP

• Performance of hajj and umrah rites and the hajj journey is the most difficult act of worship.  It is a character building and life changing activity.  There is no single worship like this.  The reward of an accepted hajj is nothing but jannah (paradise).  To be successful , proper planning, preparation and to be ready to face the challenges that come in this way is a must

• Develop an understanding, the respect and love for the prophet Muhammad (s) and his mission for mankind

• Develop humility and the highest degree of patience. In Allah’s house everyone is VIP.  Some of these old humble poor people around you may be a lot closer to Allah than your royal highness.  So become a kinder, gentler person at least during hajj and umrah.  Let us all pray together.

• Once you are there, do not yell, do not be overly demanding or rude with your Hajj group leader

• Reduce your expectations regardless of what you may have paid for your hajj package and of what you were promised for this journey.  Even if you felt cheated and if you did not complain and remain patient Allah surely will compensate you insha Allah

• This journey is very different from any other journey you may have ever taken.  Tour operators and their associates however, may try to fulfill their promises, but may not able to do so because situations will arise in which they have no control over

• Once inside Saudi Arabia, expect delays from the airport to your hotel and do not look or feel frustrated, angry and take it out on your group leader.  He has no control over the local entrants no matter what you paid.

• Prepare yourself for good conduct through out the whole journey.  Train your body and soul to do good

• Do not carry a demanding attitude, instead, be helpful to your fellow Hajjis

• Self evaluate your faith and make improvements.  Do everything to please Allah only and improve your understanding of Islam

• Perform 2 rakats of Salaat-al-Tawbah (repentance of the past bad deeds).  Be conscious of doing good deeds always. Understand tawheed and behaviour in it. 

• Follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhummad (P.B.U.H)

• Be regular in five daily prayers

• Read quran with meaning to understand and practice sincerely

• Exercise patience and humility to the utmost

• People from all over the world and different backgrounds will be there. Do not engage in meaningless arguments and quarrels.  Give others preference over yourselves.  Seek forgiveness immediately should you hurt or offend anyone.

• Do not recount the hardships experienced during the entire hajj trip.  This will only discourage others from going to hajj and you will bear blame for their omission of hajj.  If you criticize and talk ill of your group leader, it will be a back biting in the sight of Allah.  This may be the start of sins after forgiveness of all sins in hajj.

• If you wish to express your dissatisfaction write a detailed letter to your tour operator and make suggestions on how to improve services.

BEFORE YOU GO FOR HAJJ

• Pay all your debts

• Make arrangements to pay your bill in your absence

• Do arrangements and leave sufficient funds for the sustenance of your dependents and family members until your return from hajj

• Write or update your will

• Seek forgiveness from all those whom you have hurt or offended or transgressed their rights

• Make sure you forgive everybody you may have some grudges with.  Clear any malice towards anybody.  Love to all and malice to none.

• Remember you are going to be the guest of Allah who forgives your sins and accepts all your duas.  If you achieve hajj mabrur, you will return free of all sins like a new born baby

STARTING OF YOUR HAJJ JOURNEY

• Get a list of items you need to take for hajj trip from your group leader or from other sources

• Mark in that list some items which you may have to buy in the airport mall or in Makkah or in Medina

• Find out from your airline company or by your travel agent about the current per passenger and suit case sizes and pack accordingly

• If you are taking the carry on of standard size then pack an empty light weight, flexible nap sack.  You can use them to pack the items you need during the hajj (i.e.  8^th to 13 the of dhul hajj) in camping in Mina, Arafat and Muzdulifah

• If your going directly to Makkah first, then don’t forget to pack your carry on with ihram, its accessories and some dry snacks, energizers and toiletries etc.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME

• Plan to do hajj with the intention of obeying Allah ‘s command while avoiding riya

• Pray two rakahs salah and seek help from Allah and pray for a safe journey.  Ask Allah for His help and protection from the harm of evil.  At the departure gate, take taqwa with you and leave behind your heartfelt duas’ for your family so that they may remain in Allah’s protection

• Check all your travel documents (i.e. passport, airline tickets and all relevant coupons, verify with airline yourself)

• Make extra copies of your passport, visa, tickets and the traveler’s cheques.  Take one set with you and place it in a separate location along with a couple of identification photos.  Leave an extra set of documents at home.

• Take only one good bag/suitcase

• Take one with wheels so that you can pull it.  Tie some good rope firmly b/c in some cases, the baggage may fall and burst open scattering the contents

• Make a few personalized identification tags or marks that you can spot from a distance

• Your carry on bag should contain survival items for 2 to 3 days, just in case your main bag gets lost

• When loading and unloading to and from bus or taxi, be sure to check your baggage.  Make sure that what you pack belongs to you

• If you break away from the group, you are on your own, don’t put the blame on your tour operator for leaving you behind

• Get to know your travel companies and your group leader before hand, in order to understand the schedule and one anthers expectations

• Learn Arabic: at least a few words and phrases will be helpful.  Most of the locals understand some English and other eastern languages rather well

MONEY MATTERS

• Traveller’s cheques are hard to cash since you won’t be carrying your passport, which will be taken from you just before boarding in Jeddah or at madinah airport.  You will receive your passport upon your return at Jeddah airport for the flight back to your home country

• Carry money in newer and larger bills of 100 or 50 dollar bills or pounds.  You can convert these into Saudi riyals at almost every block in Makkah or Medina.  Take one or few traveler cheques

• Do not carry all your money with you; place your money at different locations on yourself.  This is a precautionary measure.

• Take approximately 1000.00 dollars per adult for other expenditures.  This amount is in addition to all other hajj related expenses

REFUNDS

• Should be obtained at the airport before returning home or any unused travel coupons attached to your passport

Special Note: In case your tour operator has arranged for private buses for transportation during the entire trip, you should be refunded for all your transport vouchers attached in your passport before you leave Jeddah Airport.  Ask your tour operator about it.  Nobody can cash it for any reason or pretence except you.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME FOR THE AIRPORT

• Call the airport beforehand to find out the status of your departure flight. 

• Be on time at the airport as instructed by your group leader. If you miss your flight, you are responsible for costs incurred

• Leave your home early enough to arrive to the airport on time for your flight. Consider the weather, road conditions, and traffic laws

• Check all your travel documents once again before you leave your home

DURING THE FLIGHT

• Use the washroom as soon as you feel the need. Do not wait too long

• If you are in Ihram, do not use cologne/perfume products available on the flight

• When you come out of the washroom, make sure you leave it very clean, with no water on the floor, or used tissues in the sink or wash basins

JEDDAH AIRPORT – HAJJ TERMINAL

• Upon arrival, your group will be received the staff of ministry of Hajj. They will help you process the travel documents

• You will be waiting in the arrival halls until your turn comes.  These halls have no facilities except washrooms, wudu areas and drinking water. It is going to be approximately a 4-6 hour wait, depending on the date and time of arrival. Eat the snacks you have packed in your carry-on.

AFTER CUSTOMS

• Your baggage is your responsibility. Work on a baggage supervision plan with your group. Stay together.

• Next – you will show your passport for the removal of the Hajj fee. Cashiers cheques, and bus travel vouchers will be stapled to your passport. Before you move on, check these items and your passport for accuracy

• Your group will then move into the waiting area platforms, opposite of the terminal halls. There will be restaurants, banks, ministry offices, prayer areas and airport malls where you can buy hajj related items. By this time, you may be exhausted and hungry

• Always keep your passport in your possession. Go to the bank (cubicles) and convert your money into Saudi Riyals. Eat and rest, sitting watching your luggage.  You may shop for your needs in these malls.

• Your group leader will collect passports to make arrangements for the bus to Makkah or Medina according to your travel itinerary

• When the bus arrives at the platform, enter your bus and sit in your seat.  Luggage will be handled by the airport porter and loaded into the bus.

• All your passports are with the bus driver.

• Before the bus leaves the terminal platform, a passenger count will be taken by cross referencing with the passports by Ministry staff or driver and your group leader

• According to your travel itinerary, the bus will travel to Medina or Makkah. Upon arrival, before entering the city, you will pass through a reception centre, where your passports will be registered in the data centre and your Muallim’s office.  If you leave your bus to go to the washroom or any other reason, make sure you note your bus number and isle number so you may return to your respective bus

• When you enter Medina, the bus goes to the Muallim’s office where your passports will be deposited and receipts will be given to your group leader. Every Hajji will receive a wrist-band and the Muallim’s address card.

• Next, your bus will go to your hotel for accommodations according to your Hajj package.

YOUR ACTIVITIES IN MAKKAH

• Once you have unloaded your luggage, assigned your rooms, rested and refreshed, you are ready to do Umrah.

• Your group leader or accompanied religious scholar will brief you on how to perform Umrah. You will then be lead to the Masjid Al-Haram.

• When you get to the 1^st sight of the Ka’aba, Stop, and make takbir and recite dua

• Complete a one tawaaf of Umra with Idtibah and Ramal and Sa’ee

• Men will cut their hair at a barbershop near the doors of Marwah while the ladies will be waiting near the door of Marwah

• After that, you will go to your hotel rooms and help in cutting the ladies’ hair (approx. 1 inch of hair in length)

• After this, come out of Ihram, take shower and change into regular clothes. At this point, your Umrah is complete

• From now until the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah, you are free to do any activity

• During your stay in Makkah:

  • Attend 5 daily prayers in Haram –Ka’aba

  • Do as many nafil tawaaf as possible

  • Do extra Umrah’s if you wish

  • Consult your religious scholar at all times for any/all religious matters

• According to your itinerary, if your are visiting Medina before Hajj, follow the instructions of the group leader about packing luggage for traveling and departure to Medina either by Saudi Air or by bus

VISIT TO MEDINA

• After arriving to your hotel room, freshen up, eat some food if hungry and leave for Masjid-e-Nabawi.

• In the masjid, pray 2 rak’ah Tahayyah-tul-Masjid and recite durood on the Prophet (saw).

• Walking with humility & respect, join the existing line, walking towards the grave site (rowdka) which will be on your left side.  As you come closer, facing the screen, say a sincere Salaam to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) “As Salaam Alaikum ya Rasulullah”

• Do not raise your hands in front of the grave site for a du’aa

• Avoid all forms of shirk (4:48)

• Next, move onwards to your right and say your salam to Hadrat Abu Bakr (R) and then to Hadrat Umar (R)

• Next to the marked pillars area called Riyaz-ul-Jannah and prays at least 2 nawafil and without hurting or disturbing anyone. Pray and make your dua’a here, sincerely for this is a high place of acceptance.  This is part of Jannah as it is narrated in a hadith

• Spend as much time as possible in this masjid to do Salah, durood-e-Ibrahim, dhikr of Allah (swt) and study the Quran.  Additionally, you may offer salaam (if possible after every salah) and durood.

• Your group leader will arrange a guided tour of the historical and religious sites in and around Medina that include a visit to Masjid Quba

START OF HAJJ

• Pack your small carry-on bag, provisions for 5 days and nights. You will be staying in crowded dusty camps. Mentally prepare yourself for such an experience for which you have traveled so far to get mercy and blessings from Allah (swt)

8^th OF DHUL HIJJA – HAJJ STARTS TODAY

• If you are in Makkah, take a shower and put on Ihram and make the intention for Hajj and say Talbiya as you did for Umrah, observing the restrictions of Ihraam.

• Those coming from Mina, enter the state of Ihraam in Medina or Dul Hulaifa making intention for Hajj. Say Talbiya and start observing Ihram restrictions.

• All hujjaj in ihram from Medina, Makkah or from anywhere proceed to Mina arriving before noon on 8^th of Dhul HIjjah.  You will stay over night in Mina.

• During your stay in Mina, do Ibaadat – avoiding all worldly conversations

• Be helpful to the needy

9^th OF DHUL HIJJA – DAY OF ARAFAH

• After Fajr prayer, proceed to the tents in within the boundary of Arafat with your group

• Remember to stay with your group at all times

• Remember that you came all the way here for today’s event – i.e.  The day of Hajj you will stay here from noon to sunset during which you pray Zuhr, Asr shortened and combined with one adhan and two aqama

• Some pilgrims may do these prayers at their respective times. Do not get into arguments. Follow your imam.

• After Zuhr and Asr prayers, eat lunch get some rest and start waqoof Arafat.

• Today is the climax of Hajj for the Hujjaj. It is the day you came here for physicality and spirituality. You must do some taubaa and istigfar, reciting words of Tawheed. This the day of the largest gathering of all Hujjaj, when everyone is and should be begging from the one and same Master his Majesty, Allah (swt)

• All will stand in the same location, with the same address, uttering the same words, asking for the same requests and following the protocol He invited to come there and to ask questions. You must produce Khuzoo, Kushroo, Taqwa and Rija’a (hope) - expect only good from Allah (swt) regardless of how meager but must be sincere).

• He answers all prayers. Today is the best day for acceptance of your dua’a

• The biggest loser amongst us is one who does not ask for nor has Rija’a (hope)

• Observe the waqoof from late afternoon to sun down. Remember to pray for your parents, family, relatives, friends and those who helped and assisted you to prepare for this important journey

LEAVE ARAFAT FOR MUZDALIFAH

• Follow the group leaders instructions

• Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, after sunset, first pray Maghrib and Isha Salah. Combined and shortened.

• Combine 49-70 pebbles to throw at Jamarat on 10, 11, 12 & 13^th.

• Stay in Muzdalifah. Pray Fajr early at the starting time and engage in dua until day break

• After sun rise, leave for Mina tents with your group

10^th OF DHUL HIJJAH

• This is the day of Sacrifice

• First, go to Jamarat site with your group, throw stones at the last Jamarat only and return to the tent.

• If you have purchased Qurbani vouchers, assume Qurbani is done. Shave your head.

• Discard Ihram, take shower and come out of Ihram. Put on regular clothes.

• After that, go to Makkah, with your group leader. Perform tawaf of Hajj followed by Sa’ee and return to Mina and spend one night in Mina.

On 11^th, 12^th throw pebbles on the three Jamarat – 7 pebbles each, any time after zuhr salaat until late evening.

If you are in a hurry, you can return to Makkah on the evening of the 12^th day.

Otherwise, stay until the 13^th. Leave Mina after throwing pebbles after Zuhr salat.  When you have returned to Makkah, perform a farewell tawaf before returning to your country.

If you have not yet visited Medina, this is the time to go to Medina after farewell tawaf.

Your hajj trip has come to an end. May Allah accept your Hajj.

                                                                                    --Ameen.