Hajj Pilgrim Tips

• Start preparing for Hajj at least 6 months before departure. Go through the procedure, learn some duas by heart.
• It is important to arrange the trip through a reliable and trustworthy travel agent.
  • You can check the Approved Hajj and Umrah Travel Agents the following ways.
  • Company History from Company House website UK    
  • Check the UK company registration no. Our Company registration No is 531955
  • Check if the agent is authorised from the Ministry Of Hajj Saudi Arabia by following their official website 
• Check in detail what the Hajj package includes, for example, hotel names, Standard, distances from Haram Shariff and Masjid Nabwi. Check if there will be any shifting between Hotels apartments (Azizyah)
• Check if the package includes food, meals or buffets.
• Check exactly how many people will be sharing per room in all locations.
• Check what services are included during the days of Hajj in Mina.
• Check if the hotel in Makkah, is provided and accessible during the days of Hajj
• Hajj is physically demanding and it is recommended to practice walking at least 30 minutes a day, the brisker the better.
• Learning basic Arabic will make your daily life easier as most Arabs prefer to communicate in Arabic
• Keep your luggage minimum, the less the better. Loading/Unloading luggage can be a hassle, especially whilst travelling on coach. In Mina/Arafat the space provided is limited per person, hence try keeping luggage at minimum.
• Carry a cloth/nylon bag for your footwear so that you can conveniently carry your slippers/flip flops around without worrying about them getting misplaced. We provide a string bag, which is included in the package.
• Ask your GP for Meningitis  {ACWY}
• Take medicines, lots of them. As there are so many people  coming from various parts of the world and bringing local viruses with them, its better to be prepared especially if you are travelling with kids.
• Normally take flu, fever, digestive, anti-allergy and general painkiller medicines with you

When you are in Makkah

• While in Haram or in Masjid, do not jump over people.
• Crossing in front of people performing Salah is an excuse (in the Haram only), do not make it a routine.
• Get a good understanding of your location of the hotel in respect of the Haram.
• Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others
• On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting takbeer loudly reminding other
• Gather stones for people and  guide people to the Jamara
• Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis
• Explain the importance of purifying ones actions for the sake of Allah
• Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day  and Make dua for forgotten friends
• Don't allow Muslims to fight during Hajj
• Help people find a place to sleep
• Remember - during the heat - the unending torment of hellfire
• Say 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadeer'
• Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah if possible.
• Remind people to go back to their home as better Muslim
• Forgive people if they do some wrong to you.
• Do Tawaf al wada  when you leave Makkah
• Tack Zamzam water when you leave Makkah

When you are in Saudi Arabia

• Keep your ID card and  hotel card  with you  specially If you are travelling with children,
• Keep your Mobile with you.
• In order to maintain a communication link, use local mobile SIMs. (Provided in our package
• Pray  5 time daily prayers with Jamat
• Bring an extra set of ihram in case one gets dirty or you sweat too much
• Be careful when wearing the ihram, practice in advance and make sure you can walk properly and you do not accidently flash
• If you are sensitive to light bring sunglasses as it gets very bright and hot
• A trick to kissing the black stone is to join the queue 10 - 15 minutes before the azan for Asar. The people pushing are shooed away and the line moves quickly.
• Smile in another Muslims face and say Salam to a stranger
• Shake someone's hand and ask about their health
• Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their country
• Guide someone and help someone, carry someone's bags for them
• Lower your gaze
• Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah
• Read Qur'an with the Tafseer
• Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening
• Give major attention to shy people in your grou
• Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa' in Hajj
• Give charity
• Take young Muslims and invite them to sit the elders. Make them the centre of attention.
• Help men and women in your group.
• Focus hard on helping those immediately near you
• Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah
• Use a Miswak
• Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

When You are in Madinah

• Please pay full attention and respect when you visit the Roda al Mubarak
• For  Visiting  Jannatu Baqi , Pray  Zohar or Asar  near the entrance al Mqbarah  and when salat  finished, they will open the gate up and it will be straightforward to go in with Janaza.
• Ladies are allowed into the Ar Raudah section of the prophet's mosque in the morning 10: 00 and night for an hour or so.Visit Masjid Quba and pray 2 Rakat Nafil
• Visit Sayeed al Shohada Ameer Hamza Jabal Uha
• Buy some Dates for your family and Friends