2. General
Advice
If you haven’t already written your dua list for
Arafah by the time you arrive at Mina, do it as
soon as possible.
If you don't remember the dua requests of others,
summarise them into a general dua asking Allah
[swt] to fulfill the duas that others asked you to
make for them.
A mobile phone is essential. If possible, get a
basic model with long battery life, a torch and
minimal distractions (e.g. email and Internet
access).
Men: If you’ll be doing the walking Hajj, put
(unscented) Vaseline / lubricant on the insides of
your thighs while you’re in ihraam. Don’t just
assume that you won’t chafe in that area.
because if it happens, you’re in for some pain.
The best provision for this event is taqwa. For
every challenge, and all your sacrifices to come,
know that it’s all for Allah [swt].
3. Mina on Day 1
Accustom yourself to your surroundings, but
don’t go overboard. Minimise your
exploration time and maximise your personal
reflection and preparation for Arafah.
Bring your own unscented toiletries. Always
take soap with you to the toilets, and share it
with others if they need it.
The toilets don’t feel clean, but that’s no
excuse to be dirty. If you accidentally dirty an
area, clean it up for the next person who’ll
use the stall.
DO NOT take anything of value to the toilet.
Leave anything important in your tent (or with
someone you trust).
4. Mina on Day
1
(Continued)
Seek good companionship in your tent:
people who’ll encourage you to do beneficial
things. Avoid those who have a habit of
being overly-social, too joking, and inclined
towards wasting time.
Keep yourself occupied with beneficial
activities, even if it’s just sleeping, or having
spiritual discussions with your neighbours.
Don’t allow boredom to overcome you.
Don’t over-exert yourself. Do your
preparation, but ensure you get enough rest.
You might not get to sleep for a while after
today.
5. Thoughts on Mina
Let the constriction of your personal space remind you of the grave that awaits you.
Let the simplicity of ihraam clothing remind you of the only material items you’ll take to
that grave. What counts most in this life is NOT the external, but what’s inside, and the
state of your heart. Strive for a clean and pure heart – which is your ticket to an easier
journey to Jannah.
Take this day as a reminder and microcosm of life: we are only here for a short time,
and in it we have to prepare for the biggest meeting of our lives. Today, it’s preparing
for Arafah – but in the bigger picture, we’re preparing for Qiyamah.
Allow these thoughts and experiences on Mina to sink deep into your psyche so that
they’ll be a lifelong reminder of the Hereafter that awaits you. While you’re alive, you
have abundant chances to improve your position with your Lord. Use these
opportunities while you can.
6. Heading to Arafah
When you’re waiting for transport, use the
time it for dua, Qur'an recitation, or anything
else productive.
If possible, try to leave Mina only after having
made Fajr – because if you’re on the bus
through Fajr, you may miss the waqt.
If you get carsick during the bus rides, try
facing backwards, and keep a sick bag with
you.
If possible, find out from your group the
schedule for the day, ncluding when they
plan to leave Arafah. Plan your toilet breaks
around that, bearing in mind that the toilet
queues.
7. Arafah Morning
Get your rest in the morning before
wuqoof. Aside from physical rest, also
get some mental rest too. Give your
mind a break to simply ‘breathe’ and
relax.
Enjoy the atmosphere on Arafah and
savour the beautiful thoughts and
realisations that come to you. Keep pen
and paper handy (or electronic versions)
and record your thoughts and feelings.
At lunchtime, don’t go overboard and
don’t waste time. Eat only what you
need, and be quick. Over-eating may
make you bloated, tired, and in need of
the toilet.
8. Wuqoof
DO NOT WASTE EVEN ONE MINUTE of your wuqoof time. Spend it in dua (or
whatever other ibadah you plan to do), and steer clear of people who gossip and waste
your time.
If your group is having a program at some point during wuqoof and you don’t want to be
part of it, go off on your own. Tell someone you’re going to find some private space,
keep your phone on (silent) in case of emergencies, then go.
Wuqoof is the biggest meeting of your life – the most important dua time of your life. So
be alone with Allah [swt] and pour your heart and soul out to Him. Use your dua list, but
don’t be limited by it. Make dua for whatever you want, even if it isn’t on the list.
If you’re with your spouse, find a quiet spot and make duas TOGETHER for your
marriage, family and whatever else. It’s a great blessing to be on Arafah together, so
take advantage of it by supplicating as the couple that you are.
9. Wuqoof
(Continued)
If your group is leaving before sunset, but
you’re not yet finished with your duas, stay
behind if you can. It’s a long walk until you
get off Arafah, but it’s difficult to make dua on
that walk. Choose your own needs instead of
the group’s logistical convenience.
If your wuqoof doesn’t live up to your
expectations, don’t lose hope and don’t let
negativity overwhelm you. Be grateful for the
experience, ask Allah [swt] to accept and
fulfil all your duas, and be confident that He
will do so – regardless of the shortcomings.
Before leaving Arafah, make sure you use
the toilet (since there are none on the road to
Muzdalifah) and pack enough provisions
(water and a few snacks).
10. Arafah to
Muzdalifah
When you leave Arafah, as far as possible,
stick with your group (and spouse if
applicable). It’s easy to get lost in the crowd,
even if you’re all on one big road.
Shaytaan is at his lowest, most embarrassed
point now. He’ll be waiting for you on this
road. Be aware of this enemy and try to keep
your thoughts clean. Fill your heart, mind,
and tongue with remembrance of Allah [swt].
If you’re walking, keep your garbage with
you. Don’t litter, even though many others
will do so. You’ve just completed the
highlight of Hajj, so don’t start your ‘new life’
being dirty.
11. Arafah to
Muzdalifah
(Continued)
If things go wrong, try not to panic. Don’t let hopelessness or desperation overcome
you.
Stay calm, turn to Allah [swt] for help, and recognise that this might be His way of trying
to teach you important lessons.
If you end up walking alone, know that there’s a pedestrian route and a bus route. Keep
an eye out for the pedestrian route (or ask others where it is), since your group will
probably take it.
Whatever ‘bad’ experience befalls you, know that it’s Allah [swt]’s plan for you. It’s not a
disaster, but something you’re meant to benefit from – even if you can’t see the lessons
immediately.
No matter how ‘bad’ your misfortune may seem, it could be worse. Be thankful that
you’re not worse off.
12. Muzdalifah
Get some rest, but also walk
around and observe the
scenes. But don’t disturb
others who are resting.
When collecting your stones,
take extras in case you or
others need them.
13. General Advice
After
Arafah
If you’re keeping a journal, write your experiences and feelings as soon as you can,
even if you miss some sleep. Capture them while they are fresh or you may lose them
forever.
Savour the feeling of purity after Arafah, but know that you can’t feel like that forever.
You will make mistakes again, but it’s easier to erase sins now. Make it a habit to repent
immediately after you do something wrong, and beyond that, regularly – even when you
can’t recognise your mistakes.
Stay clean by performing good deeds regularly and abundantly in these days.
The soul loves to worship Allah [swt] and is nourished by worship. While your soul is
pure, feed it abundantly via ibadah, and savour the beauty of worshipping Allah [swt]
without the baggage of sin.
14. Eid-ul Adha
Take the advice of your trusted and
knowledgeable group leaders. For example,
if the Haram is too packed today, you can
delay your ifadah to a better time.
For men, if you start getting hit with stones
at the jamaraat, use the top sheet of your
ihram as a shield.
If you’re heading to Aziziah after pelting,
make sure you know the route back to your
lodging. You might not be able to turn back
and leave Mina via a familiar route.
15. Days of
Tashreeq
Mina is more relaxed now, and while you can unwind a bit, don’t go overboard. You have
very few days left here, so while you’re clean and still on this blessed journey, build a
mountain of good deeds and habits that’ll elevate you and protect you for the challenging
environment you’ll face back home and in your remaining years of life.
Even though you can go back to Aziziah / Makkah for the daytimes, try to stick to Mina.
You can have comfort anywhere else, but you CAN’T get the spiritual benefits of Mina
and Hajj after these days.
Try not to overindulge on food and drink. Ramadan is a time of spiritual exertion rather
than worldly indulgence, and you should treat these days on Mina the same.
If you have a mobile phone, don’t waste time on it. These dying moments of Hajj are
precious and extremely limited. Don’t waste them on things you could do any other time
back home.
16. Pelting the Jamaraat
On the way to the jamaraat each
time, remember to apply taqwa.
Don’t waste your time in social
conversations / spiritually-
unproductive actions. Immerse
yourself in dua, reflection and dhikr
so that you can make the most of
the experience.
Remember the spiritual significance
of pelting. Consider each pelting as
a protection and self-purification –
to cast away the evils inside your
own soul, and to repel the devils
when they tempt in in future.
17. Planning
Ahead
Living your Hajj is the challenge for the rest of your life. While you’re still pure
and fresh on Hajj, plan how you can maintain your Hajj. For example:
Live a life of repentance by seeking Allah [swt]’s forgiveness each day.
Maintain and improve your salaa as it’s a critical pillar of deen.
Regularly take account of yourself. Consider where you were, where you
want to be, and what you can do to be better.
Strive to improve in character.
Repair your relationships with others.
18. Leaving the Kabah
for the last time
This is an immensely sad moment, so let your feelings make a deep impact on your heart
and soul and mind.
Be grateful for the entire trip, with your gratitude manifesting itself through action. If
you’re grateful, Allah [swt] will give you more (i.e. bring you back again, In sha Allah).
Remember that Allah [swt] is closer than your jugular vein. You may feel very close to
Him in Makkah, but He is always close to you, no matter where you are in the world.
Before you leave the Haram for the last time, make a last dua while looking at the Kabah.
It’s a memory you’ll forever treasure, and In sha Allah the sheer gratitude of the
experience will bring your heart forever closer to Allah [swt].
19. Final Moments at
Mina
Spend time with your companions in your
final days and nights of Hajj. Appreciate that
Allah [swt] has specifically chosen each of
you to be companions on this journey.
After salahs, reflect on the meaning of the
takbiers. Consider your experiences and let
them fuel the sincerity of what you’re saying:
you’re testifying to Allah [swt]’s greatness.
Take mental snapshots of the scenes. In
later years, when you’re home for Eid ul-
Adha, replay those scenes in your mind, and
let them remind you of this journey.
When it’s all over, thank Allah [swt] again
and again and again for granting you this
journey.
In the journey of Hajj and the journey of life,
try to always be conscious of Allah [swt].
Taqwa is the very best provision.
20. Life After Hajj
Because you’re now so pure and sensitive,
the spiritual filth of the outside world may
shock you. But you have to live in this world
without letting those things corrupt you again.
Protect your senses by staying away from
such sights and sounds. Shaytaan will use
your senses to trap you again.
If you can’t avoid them, once you experience
them, immediately try to replace those
experiences with something better. For
example:
If you see a non-mahram in indecent
clothing, immediately look at a halaal
picture
If you hear dirty music, immediately listen
to / recite Qur'an.
21. Life After Hajj
(Continued)
Make frequent and sincere duas asking Allah
[swt] to protect you, help you live your Hajj,
and help you make a positive impact in
helping to clean up the society you live in.
When you go home, you return as an
ambassador of Hajj. Your job is to inspire
others and encourage them to make the
journey themselves.
When you’re telling other people your Hajj
stories (back home or even still on Hajj),
emphasise the lessons you learned.
Don’t ever let the title “Hajji” make you
arrogant. You should be even more humble
and fearful of slipping up, because after this
incredible experience, you need to live up to
the high standards of your Hajj until you die.
Non-Hajjis don’t have that responsibility.
22. Final Thoughts
In life, generally, people won’t remind you to
do good. You have to remember on your
own. Always try to be be conscious of Allah
[swt] and of what you’re doing – i.e. whether
it’s pleasing to Him or not – even if others are
heedless at the time.
We’re taught that the way you live is the way
you’ll die; and the way you die is the state
you’ll be resurrected in. Strive to live a
righteous, God-conscious life and always
make dua that your moment of death will
come at a time when Allah [swt] is pleased
with you.
May Allah [swt] grant you immense benefits
and lessons from this Hajj, and make it the
fuel that’ll drive you to Allah [swt]’s pleasure,
and into Jannah.
23. Credits
Tips extracted from the “Hajj
Chronicles” e-book:
http://dreamlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/hajjchronicles.pdf
.
Pictures from:
Sh. Muhammad Al-Shareef
Bilal Islam
Yacoob Manjoo
Fraz Ismat
Tony Duckles
Yusuf Parak
Al Anwar Hajj & Umrah 2011
Facebook group
studentofthequran.com
muslimtune.com
livisoc.org