Assalamualaikum!
Apart from 'Taqwa' there are few items with you will enhance your pilgrimage in sha ALLAH:-
Preparations for Mina:
Mina Check-list:
Following items list shall prove handy when starting from Makkah towards Mina:
- Quran Shareef, Dua books
- Extra ahraam
- Mat (Chataayi)
- Medicines
- Head set
- Charger or preferably power bank as charging points are difficult to find and also remain in high demand
- Battery operated fan - Good to have specially for elders to beat the severe heat of day
- Big empty bottle(s) for wudu - will be useful in Muzdalifah for any water scarce situations
- Food:
- Snacks specially fruits, Dry fruits - to keep you energized
- Fluids Like Tang, Electrol Water - Better to avoid spicy food specially on first 2 days
- Light snacks like Bread-jam will be useful
- Something like Snickers, will be good option - easy to carry, heavy on stomach
- Vaseline - Useful for males to apply in groin area to avoid any scratches which will appear as usually we are unused to conditions of not wearing under-garments for longer durations (This tip might seem silly but will be very effective in practical)
- Post Ahraam items:
- New clothes for Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah
- Another pair of clothes to wear after coming out of ahraam
- Bathing Kit:
- Towel, Soap
- Razor blade (might turn useful when barbers are not available)
- Polythene bags (to keep your used clothes and ahraam)
Ayyam-ul-Tashreeq:
Day 1 (8th Dhul Hijjah): Mina
- Avoid spicy food and relax as much as possible in order to keep yourself energised for upcoming most important days
- Be more on fluids like Tang, Electrol, Glucon D will keep you hydrated
- Better to switch off cell phone to save battery as charging is a problem in Mina or best is to carry a power bank
- Important Note: Remember pole number when assigned with Mina Camp
- Denominator denotes Road, so better remember road number and name of road as for searching it will be easier. if you take help of Saudi police or volunteers they would usually not understand English and even English numerals but know only Saudi names
Preparing for Arfaat/Muzdalifah from Mina:
- Dua books
- Extra ahraam
- Mat for sleeping in Muzdalifah
- Don't forget medicines while starting for Arfaat to be best prepared for the most important day of Haj
- Energetic snacks
- Empty bottles for Wudu
Day 2 (9th Dhul Hijjah): Arafat
- Better carry less items for ease of travel as it can be hectic at muzdalifah
- It will also let you continue your journey till Jamraat on next day which is best way to complete Jamraat on 10th morning with less crowd
Preparing for Jamraat:
- Carry pebbles in empty water bottles for ease of carrying
- Better to pick pebbles from mina or Arafat ground
- If possible, better to avoid metros as walking might turn easiest way to opt
- Metros might be stopped or delayed in many cases
Day 3(10th Dhul Hijjah): Eid ul Adha
- This being hectic day after Arafat's tireness and wuqoof-e-Muzdalifah, it should be planned in optimal way
- For Jamraat, it's better to be an early-bird and complete it while returning from Muzdalifah only (by-passing Mina)
- After qurbani, we can come out of state of Ahram
- Tawaf e Ziyara can be performed today
Day 4(11th Dhul Hijjah): Mina
Better option in my opinion is to connect Tawaf e Ziyarah with Jamraat on 11th
- Start from Mina after mid-night and plan to offer Fajr in Haram Shareef
- This lets you return before Dhuhr and save yourself from heat
- Option for Taxi for return journey drops you till jamraat and gives a chance to offer namaz in Masjid Khaif
- Dhuhr followed up with Jamraat completes 11th day activities
Day 5 (12th Dhul Hijjah): Mina
- Jamraat to be done after zawal will complete the activities of Ayyam-ul-Tashreeq, Alhamdulillah.
As Haji will be travelling frequently to Haram Shareef, following items will prove handy for daily usage:
- Ahraam for Umrah/Haj:
- With 45-50 C temperature its advisable to take only cotton ahram
- Big No for towel ahraam it looks good but in heat it's really difficult to carry and specially to wash later if you're planning re-use
- But if you fear coldness in Muzdalifah night, you may keep one towel ahraam for yourself
- Ladies:
- Prefer burqa with non-black colour as it saves from extra heat
- And think of any unique ribbon etc for identification. Also prefer not long burqa/abaya as difficult while tawaf with danger of stepping over
- Cap/Umbrella
- Sun glasses - Good to have as the white marble floor will be very shiny and bright for naked eye in afternoon
- Sling or light hand bag for carrying to Haram Shareef to keep your books, some eatery, belongings etc
- Shared taxis for economical ride
