Brief Practical Tips for persons going for Haj(2004 doc) 

This is not intended to be a comprehensive document giving all the fiqh rules.Please check all fiqh issues & consult other books / Alims 

1.  Things to carry 

 

2. Miscellaneous Suggestions 

 

3. General Fiqh Related Suggestions  

 

4. Prophets Mosque- Medina 

When visiting the mosque, do not forget the polythene bag, sajdagah and tasbih.In case you forget, pray were floor is not carpeted.

Short Duas to memorise :MEDINA

Before you enter Masjidun Nabawi from any door recite the following:  A-Adkholo Ya Rasullallah; A-Adkholo Ya Fatema 

 While entering the door say: Bismillahi Wa Billahi Wa Fi Sabilillahi wa A�laa Millati Rasullallah 

After entering Masjidun Nabawi recite the following: Assalamu A�layka Ya Rasullallah; Assalamu A�layki Ya Fatema

Also recite 2 rakat tahiyatul masjid; if you are not going to recite any other namaz eg: yaumia namaz 

Atleast once a day: When you have decided that this is where I am going to do my ibadat today; recite Allahu Akbar 100 times there. 

Daily Amal of Masjidun  Nabawi:

  1. Namaze Shab
  2. Namaze Jafar Tayyar. Short method: 2x2 rakats. Finish both namaz and recite Tasbihate Arba� 300 times while sitting. If this is not possible recite a much as you can. Ask your hajaat. Recite anywhere in Masjidun Nabawi, try for Sutune Ayesha.

 

5. Janat-Ul-Baqi cemetery - Opposite Prophets mosque in Medina 

The cemetery is open for men approx only two (2) hours after Fajr & Asr Salaat  

Women can go upstairs up to the boundary wall / grill only after the gates to Baqi are closed for men. These are between the hours of 9:00AM through 11:00AM & again at 1:30PM. 

 

6. Travel Medina � Mecca 

 

7.  MECCA 

 

Before entering Masjidul Haram recite the following:  Bismillahi Wa Billahi Wa Fi Sabilillahi wa A�laa Millati Rasullallah Sallalahu A�layhi Wa Aaleh.

Allahumma Aftah� li Abwabi Rah�matik was Ta�limni bi Ta-a�tik wa Mardhatik.

 Before drinking Zamzam recite the following: Allahummaja�lhu Ilman Nafian Wa Rizqan Wasian Wa Shifa-am Min Kulli Daaiw wa Suqam.(O Allah! grant me knowledge which is beneficial, great sustenance and relief from pains and illnesses).  Then say: (By the Name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah and I thank Allah).

 At Mustajar in the last round of tawaf, stick your chest, stomach & palms to the Kabah and recite: Allahumma Baitu Baituka wa A�bu A�bduka wa Hadha Maqamu Aae�z Minan Naar.

 

8. Ehram

 DONTS 

Avoid things that are generally prohibited during HAJJ, and in particular, the following at all times: 

       Do not cover your head ( includes ears ) even while sleeping (men) -sleeping on pillow ok

Men - Do not use mobile phone to the ear which will cover the ear

       Do not wear cap on your head (men)

       Do not wear slippers which covers the foot from the top (men)

       Do not wear any sewn clothes (men) -sewn belt ok

       Do not kill any insects/mosquitoes

       Do not look in the mirror

       Do not use perfumes / perfumed soap, tissue / flavored toothpaste

       Do not bite nails or fiddle with your hair

 

All male pilgrims must travel (especially during day) on the roof of the bus

The Ehram can be changed only if it becomes najis (not dirty) However you can take it iff & put it on etc .One can wear more than two pieces of cloth eg toprotect against cold ( incl a blanket /shawl)

 

9. Tawaf [idea of keeping Allah (swt) as the center]

Do not do any 'mustahab' Tawaf after wearing Ehram & reciting Talbiya .ie esp when ehram is worn at the kabaa for hajj e tamtato In case done by mistake repeat the Talbiya

    

10. Sae�e [idea of struggle in the way of Allah (swt)] 

This is walking from mount Safa to Marwa and back to Safa seven (7) rounds with chest facing the front (not sideways). Pilgrims can stop in between & wuzoo is not wajib during this proces. Any supplications can be recited while walking. Pilgrims need not touch the mountain stone etc., going up to a little climb with sufficient room to turn the wheel chairs. 

11. Taqseer

 Cutting of a little hair, clipping of nails is the act done by oneself with niyat in order to get out of ehram after Sae'e for Umra .Do not make the mistake of asking someone who is in ehram to do taqsir for you,neither you shd do taqsir for someone else if in ehram

12. Arafat [Maharefa of Allah (swt)]

 

13. Muzdalifah [also known as Mashr-shuhr of Allah-consciousness]

         This is an important night & morning for prayer  

 

14. Rami (Stoning) Jamarat (cleaning of Nafs) 

 

15. Qurbani [giving away worldly possession in the way of Allah (swt)]

 

16.  Halaq 

Carry your own razor/blade for safety reasons.

 

17. Mina [Muna � Love of Allah] wuqoof / stay

 

18. Getting back

 

19. Spirituality

Thought provoking conversation between our fourth Holy Imam Zainul-Abidin (AS) and Shibli. A must for those planning to go for Hajj).

 When the 4th Imam (AS) returned from Hajj, Shibli came to meet him. They engaged in the following conversation: 

Imam: Did you go for Hajj O shibli?
Shibli: Yes O son of the Messenger of Allah
Imam: Did you stop at the miqaat and put away the sewn clothes and perform the sacred bath?
Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you stopped at miqaat did you make the intention that you are taking off the clothes of disobedience and putting on the clothes of obedience?
Shibli: No
Imam: And when you had taken off your sewn clothes did you make the intention that you had taken off hypocrisy and entering dubious acts?
Shibli: No
Imam: And when you took the bath did you have the intention that you are washing yourself from all sins and errors?
Shibli: No
Imam You did not stop at Miqaat, nor did you take off sewn clothes nor did you perform the sacred bath

Imam: Did you cleanse yourself and put on Ihram  and fulfil your covenant of Hajj?
Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you did this did you have the intention that you are cleaning yourself with the nurah of the sincere repentance to Almighty Allah the most high?
Shibli:No
Imam When you put on the ihram did you have the intention that you are forbidding yourself everything that Almighty Allah has forbidden?
Shibli: No.
Imam: When you fulfilled the covenant of Hajj did you have the intention that you have nullified all other covenants with other than Allah?
Shibli: No
Imam: You did not cleanse yourself nor did you put on the ihram nor did you fulfil the covenant of hajj
Imam: Did you enter the miqaat and pray the two rakats of the ihram and did you chant Talbiyah
Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you entered the miqaat, did you make the intention of entering as a visitor?
Shibli: No
Imam: When you prayed the two rakaats did you make the intention that you are trying to get closer to Allah SWT with the best of acts from the prayers and the biggest of good deeds from the acts of worship?
Shibli: No
Imam: When you chanted the Talbiyah did you have the intention that you were talking to almighty Allah with all obedience and keeping quiet from all disobedience?
Shibli: No
Imam: You did not enter miqaat nor did you pray nor did you chant the Talbiyah
Imam: Did you enter the Haram and did you see the Kaaba and did you pray there?

Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you entered the Haram did you have the intention  that you were prohibiting on yourself all backbiting of all the Muslims from the Nations of Islam?
Shibli: No
Imam: And when you reached Makka did you make the intention with your heart that you had come to Almighty Allah SWT?
Shibli: No
Imam: You have neither entered Haram nor seen the Kaaba nor prayed.

Shibli: No
Imam: Did you go round the house and did you touch the Rukn and did you make Saee?
Shibli: yes
Imam: And when you did the Saee did you have the intention that you were running towards Almighty Allah and did Allah the knower of all secrets know this?
Shibli: No
Imam: You did not go round the house nor did you touch rukn nor did you make Saee.

Imam: Did you taouch the Hajar e Aswad and did you stand at the Maqame Ibrahim and did you pray two rakats on it?
Shibli:Yes
 

Here the Imam gave a scream as if he was about to leave this world saying Ah! Ah! Whoever touches the black stone it is as if he has shaken hands with Almighty Allah SWT. So Look O poor chap that you do not destroy the reward of something whose sacredness has been made very great and you do not spoil your Handshake by disobedience and by grasping evil like the sinners.  

Then Imam asked: Did you have the intention when you were standing on Maqame Ibrahim that you were are standing on every obedience and that you have put behind you all disobedience?
Shibli: No
Imam: When you prayed two rakaats there didyou make the intention that you are praying the prayers of Ibrahim and that you  are humiliating Shaitan with your prayers?
Shibli: No
Imam: You did not stand on Maqame Ibrahim nor did you pray two rakats on it.
Imam: Did you look over the well of Zamzam and did you drink from its water?

Shibli: Yes.
Imam: Did you have the intention when you were looking over the well that you looking at obedience to Almighty Allah and closing your eyes from all disobedience?
Shibli: No.
Imam: You did not look over it nor did you drink from it's water.
Imam: Did you run between Safa and Marwa and did you walk between it repeatedly?

Shibli:Yes.
Imam: Did you have the intention that you were between hope and fear?
Shibli: No
Imam: You did not run between Safa and Marwa. Imam:Did you go out to Mina?
Shibli: Yes.
Imam: Did you have the intention that every muslim was safe from your tongue, your heart and your hand?
Shibli: No. You did not go out to Mina.
Imam: Did you stay a short time at arafa and did you climb Jabal AlRahma and did you recognize the wadi of Namira and did to supplicate to Almighty Allah near Al-Mil and Al-Jamaraat?
Shibli: Yes
Imam: Did you conceive by your stay in Arafa the gnosis (Irfan) of Almighty Allah SWT and the knowledge of good things and acts; and did you conceive that your book of deeds was in the hands of Allah and that Allah had full knowledge of your secrets and what is in your heart?
 Shibli: No.
Imam: And when you climbed the Jabal AL rahma did you have the intention that Almighty Allah may have mercy on all believing men and all believing women and that He will help all Muslim men and women?
Shibli: No.
Imam: Did you have the intention at wadi Namira that you would not enjoin good until you practice it yourself and you would not forbid evil until you leave it yourself?
Shibli: No
Imam: and when ou stopped at alam and Al-amirat did you have the intention that they were witnessing all your acts of worship and that they were guarding you together with guardian angels by the order of Almighty Allah?
Shibli No
Imam: then you did not stay at Arafat nor did you go up the Mountain of Mercy nor did you recognize the wadi of Namirah nor did you supplicate to Almighty Allah Imam: Did you pass between the two columns pray two rakah before crossing, go to Muzdalifah pick up pebbles and cross the Mash'arul Haram?
Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you prayed the two Rakats, did you have the intention that you were praying the prayer of thanksgiving within the ten nights which removes every hardship and facilitates every ease?
Shibli: No.
Imam: At the time of passing between the two columns without deviating to the right or the left did you have the intention that you would never deviate from the true religion to the right or the left neither with your heart, tongue nor with your limbs?
Shibli: No.
Imam: When you walked through Muzdalifah and picked up the pebbles did you have the intention that you have plucked all acts of disobedience and ignorance and that you had affirmed knowledge and action?
Shibli: No.
Imam: Then when you walked in the Mash'aril Haram did you have the intention that you had embossed your heart with the identification of those who have taqwa and fear of Almighty Allah the Most High?
Shibli:No.
Imam: Then you did not pass between the two columns nor did you pray the two rakah,nor walked into Muzdalifah, nor picked up the pebbles nor walked in the Mash'arul Haram.
Imam: Did you arrive at Mina, throw stones at the Jamarah and did you shave your head and slaughter the sacrifice and did you pray in Masjid al-Kheef and did you. return to Makka and perform the Tawaf of Ifadha (return) to Makka?
Shibli: Yes
Imam: When you reached Mina and pelted  the jamaraat did you have the intention that you have attained your goal and your Lord has fulfilled all your needs?
Shibli: No.
Imam: And when you pelted the Jamaraat did you have the intention that you had pelted your enemy Iblees and by completing this precious Hajj you had disobeyed him?
Shibli: No.
Imam: And when you shaved your head did you have the intention that you had cleansed yourself from all filth and from all the injustice of the children of Adam and that you had purified yourself from sin just like a new born baby. 
Shibli: No.
Imam: And when you slaughtered your hadiya did you have the intention that you are cutting the artery of greed by holding fast to the reality of piety and that you are following the tradition of Ibrahim A.S. when he was prepared to slighter his son, the fruit of his heart, through which he established the sunna of gaining nearness to Almighty Allah for those who came after him?
Shibli: No.
Imam: And when you returned to Makka and did the tawaaf of Ifadha did you have the intention that you had come back with the Mercy of Almighty Allah to His obedience and that you had clasped His love that you had performed your duty to Him and had gained nearness to him?
Shibli: No.
Imam: Then you did not reach Mina nor did you pelt the jamaraat nor did you shave your head nor did you slaughter the hadiya nor did you pray in the Masjid Al-Kheef nor did you return to Makka and perform the tawaaf of Ifadha. Go back because you have not performed Hajj!!


Having heard all this Shibli started to cry because of what he had missed in his Hajj and he continued to learn the secrets of Hajj until he could perform the Hajj through knowledge and understanding.