Alhamdulillah I have just returned from one of the most momentous journeys in my life. I don't normally say that given that I consider myself to be a relatively well travelled person. But tha hajj is a different kettle of fish altogether. Each person's hajj is different and individual but there are several things that will be similar and we can learn from those experiences, insha Allah.
So the following are my advice to those contemplating hajj while you are still relatively young and fit:
1. Prepare your list of du'a/supplications because hajj is all about supplication.
You don't do much prayer as you are considered a traveller. But the Quran and supplications are your two main tools to communicate with your Creator. A supplication is best from the heart and repeated often. I see people with du'a books but I think it isn't necessary because the best du'a should be tailored to individual needs. And God knows all languages...a sincere du'a is, to my mind, more likely to be accepted than one that is parroted.
2. You are a traveller, so travel light.
All you need is two pairs of ihram (for men) or comfortable loose clothes (for women) on hajj and another one kept aside for the way home. A small kit of toiletry is more than enough. I survived on a small toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, and soap. If you want to pack a small comb, that's a luxury. Believe me, you don't need anything more than that in Mina and less in Arafah. And don't buy gifts...truly there is nothing there that you can't find elsewhere. The best gift is your du'a for those people you love and care for.
A lesson I learnt on this journey is the less baggage you have the easier your journey will be. The same should be applied in our journey in this life.
3. Get fit by walking
Before you embark on hajj, start training your body and feet by walking long walks. Try walking 5 miles everyday if possible. Insha Allah, You will find that you won't get much blisters nor will you find yourself too exhausted when you do that.
The reason why I am giving this advice is that I am advising people to do lots of walking during hajj. Walk from Arafah to Muzdalifah and then from Muzdalifah to Mina. From Mina to the jamraat and onwards to the Haram. This way, you will see the exact condition of the Ummah and not your own micro community/group. You will learn how the poor amongst us survive and live while we are comfortably settled in our relatively cool tents. You will witness the tonnes of rubbish we all produce and strewn all over the place. And perhaps then awareness will start blooming in the hearts that this Ummah needs to change and change fast because we are in critical condition.
4. Useful things to bring.
A sister I met in my group has been to hajj 9 times and there was one thing she always bring with her - ginger powder. A pinch of ginger with honey in your tea or coffee will help keep up your immune system, insha Allah. Alhamdulillah, with the ginger, I was able to stave off the flu till the day I finished the tawaf wada'.
Lozenges and paracetamol are quite useful too.
Another useful thing is a tea towel. It is smaller than a small towel and larger than a face towel. So you can soak it with cold water and put it over your head in the heat. That will help cool you down.
Draw string waterproof bag for shower in Mina. Your things will get wet because the cubicle is very small and you don't want things to fall into the toilet hole below.
5. Food for your survival
If you are vegetarian, your food choice is very limited and if you are not, you will get tired of rice and chicken.
So some good food tips, go out of the camps to the road side stalls. They have some fresh fruits and perhaps veg like cucumber and tomatoes. Also they probably have some veg curry. For those practising macrobiotic diet, forget about it. Not the place for it.
The best thing is to drink plenty of Zamzam and water. I didn't touch any soft drinks at all but that is my preference.
6. Patience and socialising
There will be delays, chaos and people's personality that will test the patient of a saint. But just keep reminding yourself that this hajj is a test on patience and supplicate that God grant you patience.
Try not to socialise too much. Keep your own company most of the time. One of the best advice a friend gave me was to block out all chit chat, lay down the mattress and start with dzikr and du'a as soon as you get to Mina. You need to get yourself into an introspective frame of mind for Arafah.
May Allah accept all our Hajj!
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