Of recently me and my family went to perform Hajj and all I
can say is that the experience was that best to be had. Yes there are hardships
and a few things that people, going for the first time, should be aware off,
but if you are blessed with a group such as ours then all I can say is that
Allah really does provide you with angels in the hardest of times. We went via
a well known group by the name of Al-Khair who not only gave us basic classes for
the know-how of Hajj but also provided us with different reading material to
enhance our knowledge about Hajj, duas (prayers) and their method etc.
For me a quick recall of the journey relates to getting up
at 3:00am and getting into “ihram” and getting into the travel mode by 4 in the
morning with us going to wait at the airport ultimately to board at 9am. A
lesson learnt here was that we could have come at our convenience not the exact
time given by the Hajj group (because others belonging to the same group trailed
in by 5:30 to 6am). That’s because at the end of the day the tickets are with
you and not the head of the group! Anyway… after a 4 hour journey we landed at
the Jeddah airport and were huddled around from the airport to this tentish
thing outside for further verification and checks. All in all most of our day
was spent on the road (bus provided for the complete group that is) and headed
to the flats (Aziza) where we were to stay that we reached by night.
Here it is important to highlight that since one is in the
state of “ihram” one has to be careful of going to the washroom, sleeping,
waddu and all. And since till Umrah is not complete you have to be in that
state one has to be extra careful of everything. Here the first incident in my
life that I will never forget is as follows: We went for Umrah by 12ish and
though tired from the journey managed to perform it with ease. The journey back
home however, was another thing altogether. Since my father was in a wheelchair
(which my brother-in-law was managing) it was difficult to get around on most
roads and sidewalks. Also, being in a foreign place we managed to get lost and
ended up sitting outside a mall. I still remember it was 3am in the night when
finally we saw 2 men (from the same travel group) how led us back to the flat.
That night once we took of the ihram for the night we slept like logs.
I don’t know why but
here I would like to mention a certain lady who was the life of our group of 8
ladies (since we were all sharing a room) kept us going through all the days
that we were there. And whenever we felt low or depressed she was there somehow
to perk us up. Another young lady whom I shall not name came to be a really
good friend and like a sister to me and my family was also noted as the life of
the “room” because of their charismatic personality.
The second incident I will never forget is that of getting
separated from my mother at the train station. You see my mother was during the
specific time of Hajj also in a wheelchair. The family who have taken self
responsibility of managing my mother’s wheelchair (whom now we literally feel
were one of Allah’s miracles for us) got stuck in the massive crowd of people
that were present and so we managed to get to the Arafat station before she did.
The third incident was getting separated from my family at
the Mudalfa station. I was with my sister at the time and the way the time went
I shall not mention for it is believed to each their own test and I guess that
was for me and my sister.
Amongst all of this the important things we learnt were:
·
Travel light – you really don’t need too many
clothes
·
Carry loads of soothing (unscented) creams – or
betnovite lotion (you will get rashes and you will need it)
·
Loading an overnight bag for Arafat and Mudalfa
isn’t smart. It just weighs you down. Just carry a bottle of water and a pouch
for the stones that you need to collect and books for dua if need be.
·
Yes if you go in winters it does get cold but at
Minah you are provided with a simple rug so you can carry that
·
Sensible shoes (this is for ladies ONLY)
·
Before you go for Hajj walk walk and walk. Don’t
stop walking. It’s the best practice you can have.
·
Every garment you make should be light and soft
(to avoid rashes and skin irritation)
·
Carry lots and lots of panadol and flu
medication (other medication depends on what the doctor has prescribed to you)
·
Learn all routes well. In case you get lost you
should have a bit of knowledge of where to go and how to reach there
·
In case you feel there is about to be a stampede
or massive crowds stick to the corners to avoid getting crushed
·
Carry lots of band-aids. You will get blisters
and they do hurt when you walk.
·
Be as hydrated as you can when walking. Take
light sips of the water so that you have plenty till the time you reach your
destination to avoid blackouts and exhaustion
At the end of all this I can’t say that I have changed –
that is I am not wearing a hijab or
an abaya but I do feel that I am trying
(note emphasis on trying) to be a better person. To be mature in most of my
decisions, to think rationally and at the end of the day be a better person
than what I used to be.
