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Hajj Series: The 5 days of hajj.

Again like the previous post, a run through of what’s required on the days of hajj.  Some hujaaj stay  in Azizya, so check the necessary itinerary with your Hajj tour operator. I was based in Azizya.

For the 5days of hajj, depending on whether you’ve opted for transport facilitated hajj or walking hajj, that will dictate the route you will embark on. Padestrians have a walkway or bridge therefore the route is different to that of the bus.  It is very organised so you don’t have to worry about being run over and other concerns of the like.

Day 1 –

1st day: 8th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ut-Tarwiyah
After putting on their Ihraams for Hajj, the Hajjees proceed to MlNA after sunrise and perform 5 Salaahs there, i.e. Zohar, Asr, Maghrib, Esha and Fajr of the next day (9 Zil Hijjah).

Ihraam:

Take the necessary measures to don your ihraam.  Apply sunscreen if you like, insect repellent is usually a good idea because you dont know the conditions  you will experience.  Don’t forget anti-perspirent. Make your salah and intention to enter into the state of ihraam.

Mina

You will go from Azizya/Makkah to Mina. Easy peasy. There are Hajj camps which look like a series of Large tents. There are matresses. a pillow, and a blanket.Foods is accessible. Drinks are accessible. There are air-conditioners, and insha-allah those will work. Urns have hotwater for ample cups of tea and coffee. Alhumdulillah, the South African camps were not short of anything. Even the fridges/freezers are on site to provide cold drinks.

I carried a lightweight shawl that double up as a sunshade, blanket, pillow and even a musallah That is entirely up to you. Bear in mind you will need to travel as light as possible. in my bag was a shawl, musallah, miswaak, facetowel, vitamins, energy supplements. A plastic packet with toilet paper. I had elastic bands to keep my sleeves and pants up for whudu and when using to the toilets. A spray bottle is a must in event that you can’t reach the taps for whudu.

Day 2

2nd day: 9th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ul-Arafah
After sunrise the Hajjees proceed to ARAFAAT and make WUQOOF after ZAWAAL. Zohar and Asr Salaah will be performed here. Here they remain engaged in Du’aa, Zikr, Tilaawat, etc. until sunset. Immediately after sunset they proceed to Muzdalifah. Here they will perform Maghrib and Esha at the time of Esha. The night will be spent at Muzdalifah.

Mina to Arafah:

When you reach arafah will depend on whether you went on foot or via bus. We were on Arafah by 7 am. The tents were surprising. Open and airy with carpets to sit on. You rest. Make your duas and supplications. Pray your salah.

I had a notebook where i jotted the names of all those who requesed duas, so it was easy to just read out of it and make dua for them without forgetting anyone. I had also made a dua list for myself, with all the things i wanted to remember in my duas and all i wanted to ask for. When you are on Arafah it may be so surreal that you may not even remember what dua you wanted to make.

After sunset you leave for Muzdalifah.

Muzdalifah was a challenge for me. The bathrooms are abit of a mission so try to go before you leave arafah.  Again, I cannot stress enough on how important it is to keep your sleeves and pants up when using the bathrooms. There’s water all over the floor. and you want to remain in a state of purity.  At Muzdalifah you will pray your magrib and esha combined. You will pick up your stones for pelting the jamaraat. If you follow the shafi’ee Madhab you will move on to Mina. If you follow the Hanafi Madhab you will sleep the night under the stars in muzdalifa.

Muzdalifah sees so many things come together, people are picking pebbles. Some are washing their pebbles to ensure they have not picked up globs of sand.

Note the Identification handband.

There will be kiddy pilgrims too

There are people sleeping in the mountains. For Muzdalifah we slept on hajjimatts. You can buy one of them for about 10- 15SR. I teamed that up with my inflatable travel pillow and shawl, alhumdulillah, it worked. Alot of other people use their backpacks as  pillows. Perform fajr at Muzdalifah and head to Mina.

Day 3

3rd day: 10th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-un-Nahr
After performing Fajr Salaah at Muzdalifah, the Hajjees proceed to Mina before sunrise. On this day four important rites have to be performed.
1. RAMEE of Jamaratul Aqabah (stoning the big Shaytaan).
2. ZABH (to sacrifice an animal).
3. HALQ or Qasr (shaving or trimming the hair of the head).
4. To perform TAWAAFUZ ZIYAARAH.

Important!!! Keep an eye out for the schedule for pelting. There is a roster and a number of how many hujjaaj can leave to pelt. This is for control purposes to avoid problems and hazards like stampedes. The jamarat a elongated horizontally for easier pelting. Don’t throw shoes. There are also industrial airconditioners in the pelting area.
The earlier you can get your pelting completed, the better. Last year (2010) after pelting we notified our Hajj operator of our completion of pelting. After which we received confirmation of our animals being sacrificed. This signifies that you can exit ihraam. You’ll want to keep your scissors accessible   You will see men shaving their heads close to the jamaraat.

After which  you make your way to the Haram for tawaaf-ul-ziyaarah. The traffic is bound to be very slow. Don’t stress out about it. Some prefer to take a taxi to the haram, while some hajj operators arrange for a bus. Tawaaf on the mataaf is usually rough coz of the magnitude of people. You might want to perform tawaaf on the 1st floor. Avoid tawaaf-ul-ziyarah on the roof as the distance is greater and it will burn you out. After which you return to mina.
Day 4

4th day: 11th Zul Hijjah
All three Jamaraat have to be pelted on this day and the night will be spent at MINA. RAAMEE, i.e. pelting time begins after ZAWAAL and ends before SUNSET.

Again follow the roster available. Dont take your belongings to the Jamarah. The crowds are tight. If you’re lost make prior arrangements to meet outside Masjid-Al-Khaef after pelting. Pedestrians have designated one way routes so that cannot be avoided. Meeting back at the came at Mina might be a wise idea. Don’t panic. Keep your Identification on you at all times.

Day5

5th day: 12th Zul Hijjah
Make Ramee, i.e. pelt all three Shaytaans after Zawaal. The Hajjees may now proceed to Makkah/Azizya depending on where your hotel is. Those who wish to remain in Mina on the l3th Zul Hijjah should pelt the 3 Shaytaans before proceeding to Makkah/Azizya. The pelting on this day is permissible throughout the day (including the period before Zawaal).

NB: pelting needs to be completed and you need to leave Mina before magrib. Should you have any problems during hajj, check with the ameer of your group for assistance.

You can expect any type of weather during the 5 days of hajj, so mentally prepare yourself for it. I got stuck in a hailstorm, other hujjaaj have experienced fires, or floods. Put your trust in Allah SWT, and make the best of it.

This very brief haphazard post has been put together on the request of many people, unfortunately time doesn’t permit editing and reviewing a more articulated finale document.

Hajj Series: Immigration, Madina, Makkah, Ziyarah

Unfortunately these are brief summarized inarticulate posts to give our readers some indication of what to expect and what to pack for their trips. Should you feel the need to engage with us email us on style[dot]muslimah[at]gmail[dot]com

Leaving home:
Its safe to assume that you have consolidated your affairs and are on route to your point of departure.
It is not necessary for you to exchange your money in South Africa, when you reach Makkah/Madina the money exchange is readily available to change your currency. Adhere to the airline requirements of liquids. They allow you medication in your hand luggage as long as it is clearly labelled and in a resealable bag.

The flight should be fairly straight forward and easy to follow through. Before you arrive in Madina/Jeddah/the hajj terminal be sure to go to the restroom. Its a better option to use the toilet on the plane as when you disembark you will wait at immigration. The toilets at immigration aren’t always in the best of conditions and this is where you might encounter an eastern toilet for the first time on your trip. Next you will go thru the process of Identification, vaccine checks, fingerprint taking and this is the last time you will see your passport for the duration of your hajj.  Wet wipes are a good idea to clean up your hands because  immigration has ALOT of people passing through it.

Madina:

Madina is very peaceful. People are without hurry. You will find that there is alot of Barakah in your money. It is one of the places where shopping is an ibaadah:)
Inside the madina Haram the marble gets very cold, you might want to wear socks coz after awhile your feet ache from the cold marble. I always wore socks inside the haram. Keep your shoe bag on you to avoid losing your shoes. No cameras allowed at the womens section. And if you do carry a bag you will go thru the necessary searches by the guards. Carry a thicker musallah for the madina haram. The marble is COLD! i gave out gifts in the haram Tasbeehs that you can pick up at the 2 riyaal stores as well as pocket musallahs. You run out of carpet space for salah and sometimes end up making salah on the marble outside. The person next to you seldom has a musallah so lend it  to them, share your musallah with them, or give them a pocket musallah as a gift. Hadiya.

Raudah / Riyaadul Jannah
There are specific times when the women are allowed on the rawdatul jannah – so be sure to ask the cleaners. Say  Ziyarah Rasool? and someone should give you the times. I went at night as the crowd was less hectic. the 20 -30 mins before they end the ziyarah times is best as you get to perform more salah there. The guards are very strict about time. (i ask you to keep my family and i in your special duas to be amongst the righteous on the day of reckoning)

Ziyarah:
there are many sites of islamic importance and history that you will encounter. Make the best of it

Ihraam:
when you don your ihraam, remember your sunblock, deo, roll on, before making your 2 rakah salah and intention before heading to makkah

Umrah:

Before leaving home ensure that you have packed a small umrah bag containing:
Shoe bag, tawaaf counter, and scissor to trim your hair when exiting ihraam. I cannot stress how important this is. It may/will slip your mind, and you really want to avoid fumbling when you reach makkah in ihraam and proceed to do your umrah.

Makkah

As the days come up to hajj, maximise your ibadah, keep your energy up. There is a section in the makkah haram that is fully airconditioned, so look for it. During the day perform tawaaf on the first floor instead of on the mataaf as the heat might be too intense for you. I wore bedroom slippers for tawaaf, the ones that look like socks with a padding on the underneath. This cushions your step.  Even the brushed sportsocks are a great idea.

Your feet are going to pain, your legs will hurt, you will be tired… its a given. To make it easy on yourself take a panado or painkiller of choice and your vitamins respectively, before you leave for tawaaf. You might make tawaaf late at night, after fajr, or whenever’s best suited for you. Most hotel rooms have TV’s with the haram broadcasted live. I would watch for when the crowd was dying down before heading to the haram.

Sports socks, knee guards and ankle guards are a good idea to pack. You should be able to pick up the ankle guards for about 5 Saudi Riyaals. Also be sure to wear a nice fit bra when making tawaaf. The action of your arms rubbing against your breasts may cause sensitivity and discomfort. Cotton face pads might soothe sore nipples as those too rub against your clothes. Avoid wearing bright colors during tawaaf and always set a place to meet your family should anyone lose their way.

For the makkah haram carry light shoes for tawaaf so they don’t weigh you down. ensure your abaya is above your shoes so you don’t trip or fall. Often we wear jeans under our abayas… don’t! its too hot and you don’t want to boil. Satin pants are awesome and cotton knit also for absorbency. temperatures are high. 4 bands of elastic will hold up your pants and sleeves when making whudu or using the public bathrooms. There is water all over the floors because people take whudu. The toilets are washed down with running water and there’s water on the floor so you’ll want to avoid getting your clothes wet. An elastic band around the waist is  a great help too.

Again i gave out tasbeeh’s and musallahs in the haram saying ‘hadiyah’ When the poorer african countries come in to makkah, you’ll find that some people have never even owned a tasbeeh. Acts of sadaqatul jaariyah will be a great reward for you

Don’t drink tap water, it is distilled seawater and will make you ill. Take hairconditioner as its difficult to find hair conditioner there and your hair feels like straw after a week. Labello for lips and vicks inhaler or similar coz your nostrils will bother you.

Hygiene facemasks are available and 2 for 1 riyaal. buy those closer to hajj time. Wear it when the crowds get thicker.Keep your belongings close to you and avoid carrying alot of money in the haram as people do get pickpocketed.

Next posts covers Azizya, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifa, Jeddah, Shopping, Food, Salah, Ibadah

Hajj series: Useful Arabic Words/Phrases for Hajj

The idea of being in a foreign country can be daunting, more so if you don’t speak or understand the language. If you know arabic, alhumdulillah, you should have little or no problem. If you speak Urdu or other indian languages you will be able to get by as well.

To ease the worry, I’ve decided to share some pointers to help you along on  your trip.

Know how to count to 10 in arabic, it helps alot when shopping

• 1 – Wahad
• 2 – Ithnaan
• 3 -Thalaatha
• 4 – Arba’a
• 5 – Khamsa
• 6 – Sitta
• 7 – Sab’a
• 8 – Thmania
• 9 – Tis’a
• 10 – ‘Ashra

Hurry up/ quickly – Yallah

habibi = dear

Yallah Habibi = hurry up dear

Shueyyah (pronounced shwayya) – excuse me/ move over

Where is the toilet: (ayn al-ḥammām?)

Toilet or Whudu area: Hammam

Good morning: ṣabāḥul kẖayr

I don’t understand: lā afham

Tareeqa Hadj – Give way hajji or open the way for someone to pass you

How much is this? : Kam Hatha (pronounce kam haza)

Tareeq Haram: Way to haram?

Sabr: wait, have patience, wait your turn, be silent

La! – no

Na’am – Yes

Kabeer – small

Sagheer – small

Hadiyah – Gift

Junoobi Afrik – South Africa

La moshkelah – NO problem

I’m lost – Ada’tu tareeqi!

Sayyarah – Car/Taxi/transport

I don’t understand: La afham!

Don’t worry: La taqlaq

I feel sick : ana mareed

I need a doctor – ahtaju tabeeban!

When shopping, bargain for number of items:  Kam 10 piece,  Kam 20 piece, then ask for ‘Last Price’ that’s the lowest rate.

The bill – El Hesab

barakallahu feek! – Blessings of allah upon you

Help me – Sa’adni (masculine) Sa’adini (feminine)

Many / Alot – Katheer

Chicken: dajaj
Beef: Lahem baqir
Lamb: lahem kharouf
Fish: samak

Tea: chai
Coffee: qahwa
Water: ma’a

Maafi – Sorry

Hajj Series: Haidh (Menstruation)

Disclaimer: Muslimah(Life)Style holds no accountability for any health complications resulting from you implementing our pointers.

One of the worrying aspects of hajj considering women is the topic of menstruation. This post is very close to the time of hajj so it will not be sufficient to advise on control options in relation to delaying ones cycle.  We’ll be steering clear of the Fiqh aspects of this as there is a difference of Opinion but the majority prefer to delay or alter their cycle so that it does NOT coincide with the 5 Hajj Days. This of course depends on the individual and we hold no responsibility for your decisions

The Pill

Some contraceptive options will not agree with your body and you might have breakthrough bleeding if your pill is not strong enough. It is best to consult with your Medical practitioner over this BEFORE you leave on pilgrimage. Seriously!! Finding a Doctor in Saudi where you’re able to communicate with them in English might be difficult so please take the necessary advice and precautions while you’re still in South Africa.

The Injection
If you have taken the injection, please ensure that the window of prevention does not expire during your 5 days of Hajj. If your calculations seems uncertain buy a bottle of Primolut

Delaying or stopping one’s cycle on hajj

Primolut
Alot of people are advised to take Primolut. It is available over the counter at pharmacies in Makkah as well as Madina.  It serves as a means to stop ones cycle. Bear in mind as long as you’re taking premulut you will not bleed, but the moment you stop taking it there will be an onset of your cycle. Again… please contact your medical practitioner with the necessary questions, especially if you’re trying to conceive or if you’re going through menopause. Primolut is alot cheaper to purchase there, instead of in South Africa.

Feminine Hygiene Products

Pads
Pads are available in Saudi Arabia. If you’re used to a certain brand you might want to take them along.
There are NO TAMPONS available in Makkah or Madina.
Carry pantyliners with you. They’re an easy way to keep fresh during the time when you are in Ihraam.

Tips:
Your pill to delay your cycle may not work if you’re on anti-biotics and you may have breakthrough bleeding.
Everyone falls ill during the hajj trip so keep a bottle of premulut in case you need it as the effectiveness of your pill is compromised by your antibiotic

In Makkah and Madina the sewage system is normal like that of South Africa. Each toilet is fitted with a pipe or tap for istinja. Be sure to check the waterpressure before you go so as not to give yourself an enema or hurt yourself in the nether regions

The toilet systems in some places are a longdrop (eastern toilet pan), you need to be aware of this during your pilgrimage. Keep your feminine hygiene products in a plastic bag (packet/shopping bag) to ensure that you don’t expose it to germs or to the possibility of getting infection.

In Azizya there are flushable toilets but their sewage system does not allow for deposit of tissue and the water pressure does not break down the tissue. I know it sounds challenging, but its do-able.  Here you need to take care to dispose of your sanitaryware into the bins and be conscious of sharing communal bathrooms. Keep it clean

During the 5 days of hajj, if you’re menstruating, take the necessary measures in the bathroom so as not to compromise your own health as well keeping your ihraam clean.

There will be a post on using the toilets and what to expect soon

Help: Hajj 2011

Assalaamu Alaykom

Hajj is a very important pillar of Islam, and it needs to be given adequate preparation – be it phsyical, or psychological. Drawing on my own hajj trip last year, i recall lots of anxiety and worry over the trip but Alhumdulillah, Allah is most kind and everything came together very well.  There will be afew hajj posts but unfortunately we have not sufficiently catered for this topic on Muslimah(Life)Style. Should you be in need of any assistance  as regards pointers and tips please email me on our administration account: style[dot][at]gmail[dot]com

Insha-Allah we’ll be rolling out our pointers this week.

Regards,
Hasina Suliman

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