Before Hajj
A potential Hajji should:
1.) Pay all debts before proceeding for Hajj or make adequate arrangements for instalments to be met in their absence, or seek permission of travel from whoever you owe money. It is not good to find yourself making tawaaf and near you is one whom you owe thousands .
2.) If you have harmed someone, seek their forgiveness. If you have taken someone’s valuables, money or property, return everything to their rightful owners. Come before Allaah in front of the Ka’bah and in Arafaat with a clean slate.
3.) It is not necessary to visit relatives and friends.
4.) It is a gross waste of money to have huge get-togethers, Hajj – farewell parties etc. With the amount of money spent on these shows one can send a poor person for Hajj.
5.) It is not becoming of a Muslim to advertise via television, radio or newspaper that one will be going for Hajj on a certain day and will be proceeding from the house to the airport at such and such a time, this is begging.
6.) One should discourage relatives and friends from coming to the airport. One couple goes for Hajj and half the village and tribe is there to see them off. Beside the airport officials getting nervous, many haraam activities take place such as photography, intermingling of sexes, hugging of namahrams, Salaat is generally missed and the potential Hajji starts off on the wrong footing. How sad.
7.) Travel light, we have provided a luggage list at the end of the book.
8.) If you are on any special medication, carry them with an additional prescription.
9.) If you use spectacles, take a spare if possible or at least a valid latest prescription.
10.) It is advisable to mark your luggage with a coloured ribbon around the handle of the bag.
11.) Do not write your physical address on the label which your travel agent provided. At some airports there are thieves observing addresses to burgle your house in your absence.
12.) It is best to have someone stay in your home in your absence or let someone constantly check on your home.
13.) Do not forget to have your lights, water and telephone bills be paid in your absence. Lest you return to a ‘dark’ house with no ‘line’ to dial out.
14.) Make sure you have:- a. A valid confirmed return flight ticket.
b. A valid, proper Hajj contract between yourself and the Hajj agent, even if it be a dinner-talk arrangement.
c. In your contract increase the clauses on the delays, postponement and cancellation of flights.
d. Have the following clauses explained:- i. Duration and quality of stay in Madinah, Makkah, Azzizia, 5 days, after 5 days etc.
e. Make sure you understand your contract from every aspect and angle.
f. Have a photocopy of your passport.
g. A valid health certificate.
h. 4 extra photos.
15.) Remember that most Ulema state that it is Waajib (compulsory) to seek education of the basic fundamental laws of Hajj.
16.) Do not read too many books on Hajj. One book may say something and the other may say something else, you will become totally confused. Read ONE reliable, authentic book on Hajj.
17.) Know it is not necessary to memorise tens of duaas before proceeding for Hajj, the least you should know is ???
18.) Attend Hajj classes. Do not go to those Ustaads who rebuke and classify all others as wrong.
19.) Teach the females the procedure of attending Salaat with Jamaat, how to follow the Imaam especially during the performance of Salaatul Janaazah.
20.) A medical list for the journey has been included at the end of the book (B).
21.) Avoid worrying about horror incidents related to you by those whom you visited or visited you. Every Hajj is unique to ever Hajji. Practically every Hajji will have some sort of difficulty at some stage or another, if this did not happen then when will the cleaning, cleansing and purifying take place.
22.) Separate your Travellers cheques from it’s receipts, when packing.
23.) Find out the season in which you going so that you can pack accordingly.
24.) Make sure you have the “Tanazul” drafts before your departure. These days you can have your Tanazul, cash and T/C’s in Saudi Riyals.
25.) Rest adequately before your flight/s from your country.
26.) Do not forget to:
a. Read 2 Rakaats Salaat us Safr (of journey) before leaving your home. Pray for an easy and accepted Hajj. Beseech for protection of Imaan, family and property.
b. Once you have decided to go for Hajj, constantly pray 2 Rakaats Nafl Salaat for easiness. Do this regularly, express your weakness and see the results.
27.) You will go to the airport, generally the agent or his deputy or your relative aids you in checking your luggage in and obtaining your ‘boarding pass’.
28.) You will be given a bar- coded docket as a receipt for your luggage. If (Allaah forbid) your luggage is lost then you will have to produce that docket to place a valid claim.
29.) If you are not going directly to Jeddah but are in transit then make sure you know whether your luggage is going directly or being dropped off with you at the transit airport.
30.) You will proceed with your hand luggage, passport and boarding pass to the immigration area. Here you will be asked to fill in a departure form.
31.) On the passport cover have the following information:- a. Name – in full b. Passport number c. Date issued d. Expiry date This information will help you to easily fill any departure or entry form of any country.
32.) You will then go through customs or have your hand luggage scanned after all searchers are done the immigration officer will stamp your passport.
33.) Then you are allowed to wait in the International departure lounge. Await your flight. perform Salaat if it is time. Do not leave your luggage un-attended. Do not be bewildered by the duty – free shops and forget your goals.
34.) Make the Zikr of Allaah in abundance. Your Hajj journey has just started. Welcome.
35.) Have you taken:- a. Your Ihraam cloths b. Your walking shoes / footwear c. Your sunglasses d. Your head- gear (ladies) – to use whilst in Ihraam e. Your money – belt – general one , ihraam one f. Your bags of patience g. Your tapes to give to the bus driver to play on the long journey between Jeddah and Madinah and then even longer journey between Madinah and Makkah h. One Kitaab on the laws of Hajj i. One Kitaab on the virtues of Hajj.
j. One Kitaab on the History of Rasulullaah r.
k. We recommend i. Kitaabul Hajj by Mufti Aashiq Illaahi (A.R)
ii. Virtues of Hajj by Sheikh Zakariyyah (A.R)
iii. Muhammad r – The last Rasul of Allaah by Mufti A.H.Elias l. Did you listen to these tapes:- i. 1 hour virtues and History of Madinah ii. 1 hour virtues and History of Makkah iii. 1 hour virtues and History of Kaabah iv. 1 hour virtues and History of Maqam e Ibrahim v. 1 hour virtues and History of Zam Zam vi. 1 hour virtues and History of 5 days of Hajj and names and places in Hajj You may obtain these tapes from Radio Islaam (011) 854 7021/2/3. We have now completed stage one, i.e. Before Hajj in South Africa or any other country – Alhamdulillaah.