A FRESH START IN THE TEN BEST DAYS

By Hamed Al `AttarTranslated by Samah Abdel-Hakam

To those whose record of deeds has become blackened after Ramadan, here is an opportunity to cleanse it again. It is an opportunity for purification and forgiveness, and to get rid of sins and their heavy burdens. From time to time Allah the Almighty bestows the blessings of His forgiveness and contentment. Shortly after Ramadan come the days of goodness and blessings in which doing good is much more rewardable than doing good even during the month of Ramadan itself.
As soon as the day time passes away, the night time comes with the blissful offer of receiving forgiveness from Almighty Allah; as He the Almighty kindly says to His servants [in the last third of night time], “Is there a seeker of forgiveness so that I forgive him? Is there a repentant to me so that I pardon him?” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

HOLY CITY OF MAKKAH

The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jeddah, is the place where the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born - the place where God's message was first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after the migration to Madinah in 622 CE.
Makkah is the holiest city on earth to Muslims. It is variously known as Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Umm Al-Qura (the origin of the Cities), Al Balad Al-Ameen (the Secure City), and Al-Balad Al-Haram (the Sacred City).
Five times each day, the world's more than one billion Muslims, wherever they may be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray. And at least once in their lives, all Muslims who are not prevented by personal circumstance perform the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. Thus each year the Holy City of Makkah is host to some two million hajjis (pilgrims) from all over the world.
The Holy Mosque in Makkah houses the Kaaba, in the corner of which is set the Black Stone which marks the starting point for the seven circumambulations of the Holy Mosque which every hajji must complete.
The Holy City is served by the seaport and international airport of Jeddah.

Hajj 2008
Annual Pilgrimage to Makkah
6th - 9th December 2008

The Hajj Journey

Allah prescribed Hajj once in a lifetime upon the Muslims who have the means and are physically able to perform it. There are three types of Hajj: Hajj at-Tamattu', Hajj al-Qiran and Hajj alIf rad. In this article, we will explain the procedure for Hajj Al-Tamatt'u as it is the most recommended one.
In this type, one is to perform 'Umrah during the Hajj months (i.e. Shawwal, Thul-Qe'dah and the first ten nights of Thul-Hijjah) and to perform the Hajj in the same year with a sacrifice slaughtered in Mina on the day of Eid AlAdh'ha (The 10th day of Thul-Hijjah) or during the days of Tashreeq (i.e. the 11th, 12th and 13th day of Thul-Hijjah). The pilgrim may remove his Ihram garments and resume his normal activities between 'Umrah and Hajj. It is necessary to make the Tawaf and the Sa'i twice, the first time for 'Umrah and the second time for Hajj. We describe in the following the sequence of the Hajj journey.

MASTER PLAN KA'BAH

VIDEO IN JAMAROT

mabit in muzdalifah

ME AND MY FRIEND MABIT IN MUZDALIFAH SO WE ARE TO LOOKING FOR STONE.

Me and My Husband in MINA

INTERIOR OF MASJID AL NABAWI

Interior of Masjid al NabawiOne such dome weight 80 tons. There are 24 of them, and they can slide open individually or all at once. When they open, they hardly make a sound! The insides of the domes are decorated wood. They also provide shade for the worshippers who are on the roof, when they are open. The Mosque of the Prophet (Masjid al Nabawi) is the second holiest mosque, after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. It is the second mosque to be founded by the Prophet Muhammed (saws), the first was Masjid Al-Quba. It was originally built by the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and his companions and has later been extended several times by his followers. The Mosque of the Prophet (pbuh) became his resting place after his death. The last Prophet's (pbuh) resting place is beneath the green dome. The first caliph, hadrath Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra), and the second caliph, hadrath Umar ibn Al Khattab (ra) are both also resting here. It contains a fourth grave as well, which is reserved for hadrat Isa / Jesus (as), when his time is up after his return to the earth. The Prophet's (pbuh) lived where the dome is today after the Hijrah. The Rawdah - the area between his house and the original mihrab is a part of Jannah - paradise, according to a saying (hadith) of the Prophet (pbuh). He said: "What is between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise". It is extremely crowded here - often hours before the prayer time, as it is every worshipper's desire to pray here. The area holds only a few hundered worshippers - maybe up to a thousand.The part of the mosque which currently surrounds the green dome has been expanded several times during different times. It therefore contains architecture of different styles. The other parts are of newer extensions, and they look quite similar.

ESCALATOR IN MASJIDIL HARAM

MASJID NABAWI IN MADINAH

HAJJ TYPE

Tamattu' Hajj
Tamattu` means performing `Umrah during the Hajj season, and on the Day of Tarwiah a pilgrim gets into the state of Ihram for Hajj. Anyone intending to perform a Tamattu`` Hajj should on approaching the Miqat make intention for `Umrah. After fulfilling the Hajj rituals, one should offer a sacrificial animal.
Qiran Hajj
In this type of Hajj, a pilgrim should declare his intention to perform both Hajj and `Umrah together. Only when he throws the Jamrah of Al-`Aqabah, gets his hair shaved or cut that he can put off his Ihram. However, he should offer a sacrificial animal.
Ifrad Hajj
In the Miqat, a pilgrim of Ifrad Hajj declares his intention for Hajj only. He maintains his Ihram up to the Day of Sacrifice. No offering is required from him.
Umrah
Rituals of `UmrahIn Arabic the word `Umrah is derived from I`timar which means a visit. However, `Umrah technically means paying a visit to Ka`bah, performing Tawaf [Circumambulation] around it, walking between Safa and Marwah seven times. A performer of `Umrah puts off his Ihram by having his hair shaved or cut.

THE HAJJ IN PICTURES

Today modern transport means that each year 2 million men and women travel to Makkah for the annual Hajj. This page contains photographs depicting the various stages of this journey of a lifetime....

Hajj Rites - in brief
On the first day of the Hajj, pilgrims sweep out of Makkah towards mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. Pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet (PBUH) did on his pilgrimage.
During the second day, the 9th of Zul-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the wukuf, "the standing," the central rite of the Hajj. As they congregate there, the pilgrims' stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment. Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have asked God to pardon the sins of pilgrims who "stood" at 'Arafat, and was granted his wish. Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.
Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to Muzdalifah, an open plain about halfway between 'Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect a fixed number of chickpea-sized pebbles to use on the following days.
Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. There they cast at white pillars the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan's attempt to persuade Ibrahim (PBUH) to disregard God's command to sacrifice his son.
Following the casting of the pebbles, most pilgrims sacrifice a goat, sheep or some other animal. They give the meat to the poor after, in some cases, keeping a small portion for themselves. As the pilgrims have, at this stage, finished a major part of the Hajj, they are now allowed to shed their ihram and put on everyday clothes. On this day Muslims around the world share the happiness the pilgrims feel and join them by performing identical, individual sacrifices in a worldwide celebration of 'Id al-Adha, "the Festival of Sacrifice"
Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. This is done as a symbol of humility. All proscriptions, save the one of conjugal relations, are now lifted.
Still sojourning in Mina, pilgrims visit Makkah to perform another essential rite of the Hajj: the tawaf, the seven-fold circling of the Ka'bah, with a prayer recited during each circuit. Their circumambulation of the Ka'bah, the symbol of God's oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its center. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man.
After completing the tawaf, pilgrims pray, preferably at the Station of Ibrahim, the site where Ibrahim (PBUH) stood while he built the Ka'bah. Then they drink of the water of Zamzam.
Another, and sometimes final, rite is the sa'y, or "the running." This is a reenactment of a memorable episode in the life of Hagar (PBUH), who was taken into what the Qur'an calls the "uncultivable valley" of Makkah, with her infant son Ishmael, to settle there.
The sa'y commemorates Hagar's (PBUH) frantic search for water to quench Ishmael's (PBUH) thirst. She ran back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks, al-Safa and al-Marwah, until she found the sacred water known as Zamzam. This water, which sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael's tiny feet, is now enclosed in a marble chamber the Ka'bah.
These rites performed, the pilgrims are completely deconsecrated: They may resume all normal activities. According to the social customs of some countries, pilgrims can henceforth proudly claim the title of al-Hajj or Hajji.
They now return to Mina, where they stay up to the 12th or 13th day of Zul-Hijjah. There they throw their remaining pebbles at each of the pillars in the manner either practiced or approved by the Prophet (PBUH). They then take leave of the friends they have made during the Hajj. Before leaving Makkah, however, pilgrims usually make a final tawaf round the Ka'bah to bid farewell to the Holy City.
[paraphrased from an article by Ni'mah Isma'il Nawwab]

WUKUF IN ARAFAH

MABIT IN MUZDALIFAH

ME AND MY FRIENDS

HAJJ IS ARAFAH

“Sister don’t forget to make duaa for me too” I heard as I stood facing the qiblah making duaa. I looked down to my right and found a sister lying on her back relaxing and taking a rest as the most important day of Hajj passed her by.
The most important day of Hajj is the day of Arafah (the 9th day of thul hijjah) as the Prophet PBUH said “Hajj is Arafah”. Pilgrims are to go to Arafat and spend the day from Thuhr until Maghrib in supplication and remembrance of Allah SWT.
Alhamdulillah I was able to perform hajj during the 2006-2007 hajj year. Upon my arrival to the site where my group and I would be staying during these blessed hours, I found myself confused. Where was the mountain of Arafah? I quickly learned we were far from the mountain and would not be seeing it but that we were standing in the boundaries of Arafah and would be gaining the same reward as those standing on the mountain itself. The best advice I received before embarking on my hajj journey especially when it comes to the time spent in Arafah was:
Be prepared both mentally and physically
Do not waste time – time is precious as the number of hours are limited
Face the Qiblah while making supplications and remembering Allah-not the mountain
It is not necessary to be on the mountain of Arafah (it is best to stick with your own group)
Eat lightly to not tire yourself
Be prepared for heat
Anticipate long commute times and finally
BE PATIENT
I made dua’a for that sister, myself and the entire Muslim Ummah that Allah SWT would grant us the wisdom to realize our blessings and strength to reap the benefits of this great day. Aameeen

MADINAH

Madinah was a place of firsts for us and provided clues to the trip to come. We got off the plane like tourists, giddy and exhausted. The giddiness dissipated as we stood in line to be processed by a series of clerks who were the first in the long line of alternately aggressive and apathetic bureaucratic employees we would encounter during our hajj journey. The chaos of getting onto a bus and checking in to the hotel was the first of many moments of chaos we would encounter. We got settled in our hotel room and immediately set off with two friends from Houston for the masjid an Nabawi.
Being in the masjid an Nabawi and visiting nearby mosques of historical significance would give us the first taste of the terrible pushing crowds we would experience. In that way it was beneficial to go to Madinah first - it prepared us as best we could be for the crowds to come in Mecca. My husband and friends made plans to get up after a few hours of sleep to pray tahajjud at the mosque, but I was tired and disoriented and opted for sleep instead.
December 31, 2005, ~3:15 a.m. Room 317, Hilton Madinah. I’ve been up for about an hour or so, taking my time and having a nice hot shower. Husband left to see the Rawdah ~1:30 a.m. but I thought I wanted to sleep more - as it turned out I wasn’t as tired as I thought, and got up shortly thereafter. The plan is for my friend and I to go to fajr together at the masjid an Nabawi and stay to see the Rawdah. After that we’ll meet our husbands back at the hotel and go on the tour of historic sites and such. Unfortunately the plan isn’t 100% clear to me, though, as far as what time my friend and I are meeting, and I will likely end up walking over to fajr alone. I’m kind of nervous about doing things alone.
So I’m looking out the window right now watching people steadily walking towards the Prophet’s masjid. Madinah is like a party town in total reverse - people are out at all hours of the night to pray, not to party.
I was totally jonesing for some coffee, even though I’m down to one cup in the morning and really do well without it. I was simply dreaming of sitting down with a hot cup of black bitter coffee when I started writing. I ordered a small Arabic coffee from room service and ended up with a carafe full of tea-colored cardamom-flavored hot beverage, which I’m hoping has caffeine in it…
I see so many people heading towards the masjid that I keep thinking it will run out of space - but then I remember it can hold a million people within the building and surrounding grounds. It’s enormous! And gorgeous. Subhanallah! Off I go.

TIMELINE OF INCIDENTS IN THE HAJJ

1979 About 250 Saudi militants take over Grand Mosque in Mecca. More than 100 of the fighters and 127 Saudi troops are killed in a two-week siege. 1987 Around 400 people, mainly Iranian Shia pilgrims, are killed in clashes with Saudi security forces during anti-Western protests in Mecca. 1989 One pilgrim is killed and 16 wounded after a bomb explodes near the grand mosque. Saudi Arabia beheads 16 foreigners found guilty of planting the bombs. 1990 A stampede in a tunnel at Mecca causes the deaths of 1426 pilgrims, mostly from Indonesia and Turkey. 1994 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge in Mena kills 270.
1997 A fire kills 343 pilgrims and injures 1500 at camp in Mena.
1998 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 119 when people fall of an underpass.
2001 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 35.
2003 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 14 people when pilgrims going in the opposite directions collide.
2004 A 27-minute stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills at least 251 during the stoning ritual.
2006 A stampede kills 345, the highest number in 16 years, 600 injured.

TRAGIC ACCIDENT AT 1421 HAJJ STONING RITUAL IN MINA

03/08/2001Tragic accident at 1421 Hajj stoning ritual in Mina
Thirty-five pilgrims, 12 men and 23 women, were killed in a tragic accident that injured dozens more during the stone-throwing ritual on the first day of Eid Al-Adha 1421 [Monday, March 5, 2001]. Just after eight o'clock that morning, pilgrims arriving in Mina from Muzdalifah were thronging to the area of Jamarat Al-Aqaba for the first day of the ritual of throwing stones at pillars representing Satan. As a result of intense congestion, a number of them, notably those of advanced years, fell to the ground and were trampled on. Security personnel on the spot were able to alleviate the situation and prevent further casualties.

Today, the Ministry of Health updated the list of names and nationalities of those who died. Five more names have been added to the earlier list of 18:
Haneifi Ahmed, male, Turk.
Fatiyah Hussein, female, Egyptian.
Faiza Ali Mohamed, female, Egyptian.
Sheifi Wedwaa, male, Ethiopian.
Isa Mohamed Serdar, male, Afghani.
The earlier list was:
Atbah Ridhwan, female, Indonesian.
Fatimah Karsley, female, Turk.
Ibrahim Ali Odeh Masmah, male, Palestinian.
Mohammed Shihab Al-Deen Habeeb, male, Sri Lankan.
Pervez Begum Altaf Hussain, female, Pakistani.
Abdula'al Mohammed Salheen, male, Egyptian.
Sibnourbi Sheikh Ghalab, female, Indian.
Abdulazeem Ali Ahmed Al-Imam, male, Egyptian.
Siti Aminah Mohammed, female, Indonesian.
Aleefi Dourour, female, Turk.
Al-Amim Hassan Mohammed Awadh, male, Sudanese.
Sheikh Basheer Ahmed, male, Indian.
Mohammed Qassim Lal Miyah, male, Bangladeshi.
Fawoziyah Amah Shah Al-Hameed, female, Sri Lankan.
Misriyah Amah Habeeb Mohammed, female, Sri Lankan.
Fahriyah Karouh, female, Turk.
Anwar begum, wife of Mohammed Tufail, female, Pakistani.
Maqboulah Touq Qon, female, Turk.
Only 12 of the 179 who were injured in the incident are still hospitalized. These are:
Jaber Mohammed Khan, Afghani.
Jaloul Shuhaimah, Algerian.
Fatimah Ali Tame', Somali.
Sajidah Parveen, Pakistani.
Parveen A'lam, Bangladeshi.
Saeed Muslih Al-Deen Sayyid Abdulkhaliq, Bangladeshi.
Yosef Baki, Turk.
Abdulghani Abduljabbar, Indian.
Abu Bakr Bouti, Indian.
Mujahid Kilab, Indonesian.
Saleem Abdulsalam, Tunisian.
Silano Younsa, Nigerian

MASJIDIL HARAM

RENOVASI MASJIDIL HARAM

HAJJ TIPS (50 THINGS TO DO IN HAJJ)

Hajj Tips (50 Things to do in Hajj)
By Muhammad Alshareef
Smile in another Muslims face
Say Salam to strangers
Shake someone's hand and ask about their health
Buy tea for someone
Offer to get someone's groceries
Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their village
Carry someone's bags for them
Guide someone ill to the infirmary
Shun vain talk
Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others
On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting talbiyah loudly reminding others
Gather stones for people
Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis
Guide people to the Jamarat
Lower your gaze
Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah
Read Qur'an with the Tafseer
Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening
Make dua during your Sajdah
Stand to the side of a gate and offer people water/tea as they leave
Give major attention to shy people in your group
Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa' in Hajj
Explain a Hajj Khutbah you may have heard to those around you
Explain the importance of purifying ones actions for the sake of Allah
Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day
Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)
Don't allow Muslims to fight during Hajj
Help people find a place to sleep
Remember - during the heat - the unending torment of hellfire
Say 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadeer' 100x
Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there
Give charity to those who sell meager things (sandals/eggs)
Attend the Halaqahs that are given in Mina
Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah
Remind people to go home as better Muslims
Forgive people that wrong you
Talk to 10 different people from 10 different countries
Compliment someone sincerely
Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that he has given you
Take young Muslims and invite them to sit with the elders. Make them the center of attention.
Give a tafseer class after Salah / ask someone knowledgeable
(For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you
Ask about the health of senior women in your group. Make sure they are attended to.
Focus hard on helping those immediately near you
Take people to the slaughter house and help them / Or assist them in purchasing their slaughter coupons
Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah
Pray to Allah using his 99 most beautiful names (al Asmaa' al Husna)
Use a Miswak
Fill your pockets with candies and give to the children that you meet
Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

PREPARING FOR HAJJ

IslamicallyThe following conditions must be satisfied for Hajj to be acceptable to Allah SWT:
A Pilgrim must be a sane adult person.
A Pilgrim must pay off all debt. Pilgrim must not be a debtor before departing. He or she must be completely debt-free.
A Pilgrim must leave sufficient money for his family's expenses while he is away on Hajj.
A Pilgrim must have sufficient funds to meet his or her own Hajj expenses. Haaji must not intend to beg when going for Hajj.
A Pilgrim must ask permission of his or her parents, particularly when they are sick or old and should also seek their pardon.
A Pilgrim must complete a regular "Will" ("waseeyyat") before departing.A Sample Islamic "Will"


SpirituallyA person must spend time learning about Islam, the background of Hajj, the special requirements, "Masnoon Dua" for the "Manasik" of Hajj (the "fardh" and the "sunnah" of Prophet Muhammad ) prior to leaving.
It is recommended to familiarize oneself with the details pertaining to the rites of Hajj. The ceremony of Hajj must be according to the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and must conform to one's "fiqh madhab" (Islamic school of thought).
The complex rituals are performed differently by Hujjaj following the Hanafi, Shaafi, Malaki and Hambali doctrines. Furthermore, shia have their own beliefs. As such toleration and moderation must be cultivated.
Remember, for "Hajj -e- Mabrur ", acceptance of your efforts for Hajj is solely Allah SWT's prerogative and thus a mercy from Him.
We pray that your Hajj and Hajj of all be accepted by Allah SWT. Ameen!







PhysicallyHajj require lots of strenuous physical activity. Although, all of it is amply rewarded by Allah SWT, the intense exertion coupled with harsh desert climate can take a serious toll on the body.
The aged, women, patients suffering from heart, breathing & other ailments and the physically challenged Muslims planning on this blessed trip MUST be accompanied by able bodied & healthy caretakers. It is the responsibility of the person to ensure that he or she is sufficiently prepared to undertake the physical challenge. An individual should not unnecessarily burden strangers. Hujjaj are eager to assist fellow Hujjaj but one must be aware of potential health problems and take adequate precautions to avoid problems. The rest is up to Gracious Allah SWT.
An article "Getting Into Shape For Hajj"


MentallyThe journey to Arabia for Hajj requires mental conditioning since we will be given lessons in becoming sincere "Abdullah" (Allah SWT's slaves). We have to learn to control our tongues, egos and arrogance. Hujjaj dress alike in Ihram during Hajj, regardless, of who they might be in this world. Royalty, corporate executives, normal people or poor people are all slaves in front of Allah : begging for His mercy and forgiveness. Our goal must be to do our very best that we may get the highest rewards from Allah SWT.
Furthermore, the Saudi society and culture today is very different from our own and our expectations of an Islamic society. May Allah forgive us but sometimes, one gets a nauseating feeling that the Makkan society has reverted to the primitive state that existed before our beloved Prophet Muhammad civilized the pagans with Allah's Al Islam.
The entire trip is an eye-opening experience. We must pray to Allah SWT to make Hajj easy for us, prepare us for the difficulties and Graciously accept our Hajj out of His Mercy.
The great differences in language, food, social and religous habits, attitudes of police folks and bureaucrats can cause major stress. Sadly enough, Islamic etiquette (politeness, helpfulness and courtesy) is missing from the behavior of local people providing various services to Hujjaj. These include the Mutawwifs and their agents, salesmen, bank tellers, taxi and bus drivers and operators, tour managers, restaurant and hotel staff, janitors, caretakers, guards, etc. The abruptness and purely commercial motives may shock the Hujjaj. Hajj and Umrah seasons are the main opportunities for the locals to make obscene profits. These raw attitudes are in sharp contrast to Haaji's own state of Islamic awareness.
In general, Hujjaj in Makka are under stress thus the entire atmosphere is tense. This is partly because Hujjaj want to fulfill their religous obligations properly. And partly because of the severe physical rigors. Also, Satan, is ever more intent to cause mischief amongst Hujjaj. We must acknowledge these conditions and prepare ourselves likewise. Praying to Allah SWT to guide and help us is the only solution.
The vast number of people from various corners of the world, the round-the-clock close proximity to strangers, the queues for food, water, transportation, restrooms and other physical inconveniences does have an impact on the mental well being. We must be prepared to detach ourselves from the outside world and its earthly comforts and focus solely on completion of the blessed responsibility to the best of our ability.
We must refrain from our usual modus operandi and channel all our energies to complete Hajj with piety. All this requires mental discipline and will power. Only the blessings and mercy of Allah SWT can help us. We must remain thankful and be hopeful of the abundant reward awaiting us.
In brief, Hajj has become easier physically due to the various modern comforts. However, attainment of spiritual enlightment and inner peace has become more elusive.


FinanciallyGoing for Hajj involves certain amount of investment. This can vary from US$3000 to US$7000 for the entire journey.
It is a requirement that a Haaji must be completely debt-free and must provide adequately (out of Allah SWT's bounty) for his loved ones before departing on Hajj. As such, the person must completely pay off any and all outstanding loans (mortgages, auto loans, college loans, credit card debt, store credit cards, charge cards, etc.) before departing.

GETTING INTO SHAPE FOR HAJJ

The Hajji pleads of Allah to: "...purify (his) intention and give (him) the grace of performing the Hajj in the best possible manner." Most modern sports training books, also talk about "performing....in the best possible manner", with elevated states of physical and mental readiness, writes Mike Magras.
"How?" I hear you say "can he dare to compare the Holy Pilgrimage with the contents of a sports book?" Well, have you ever stopped to think that the training element, in fact, permeates nearly all of the five pillars of Islam? Zakat or the giving of charity trains us in spending our wealth. Fasting trains us in self discipline and self control over the body and its desires. Hajj trains us to sacrifice our physical and mental energies, our wealth, time, comforts and possessions in the way of Allah. Salah and as-Shahadah provide us with exercises in mental culture. These are necessary for the constant reaffirmation of our faith in God. So, I argue, preparation should not be seen as an alien concept since we, as Muslims, are "in training" all the time!
While researching this article, I asked several people who'd already been on Hajj: "What advice would you give to someone who wishes to know how best to prepare for Hajj?"
No question about it, everyone felt that all potential Hajjis should be well versed in the essentials. Specific areas that were mentioned included; the special prayers, obligations, restrictions, terminologies and the sacred places to be visited.
However, to my gratification, (otherwise there would have been no point to this article) their responses also suggested that people have begun to realise this simple fact: Hajjis will be in a better position to deal with the rigours of the holy pilgrimage if they are in a good physical state. People are finally beginning to realise the contribution that good bodily preparation can make towards alleviating some of the (usually extreme) physical hardships and stress during Hajj.
Hajj follows the holy month of Ramadan and is commonly known as the holy pilgrimage. It became a compulsory act, for all Muslims, in the year 9th Hijrah, that is nine years after the Islamic state was established in Medina. While on Hajj, Muslims consciously give up the accepted pleasures and conveniences of life and endure rigorous, obligatory, disciplines. The ultimate aim is to attain, and retain, an intensified state of devotion (taqwa) to God.
So it can be said that those who are physically and mentally fit to undertake the journey, are the ones most likely to gain the greatest potential benefits. Ill-health would greatly affect the level of concentration needed to complete the obligatory ceremonies. If you want to perform in the best possible manner, then you should ensure that you are in the best possible condition - naturally.
When asked how one should prepare for Hajj one Haji remarked, "they should try to walk the equivalent of 10 miles a day in a sauna." Others also remembered with renewed agony the long arduous walks and the intense blazing sun. With this in mind I've put together a simple regular training activity that will give all of those contemplating Hajj this year, an adequate level of fitness before you embark on the Holy Pilgrimage.
People tend to forget that walking is the single most natural human exercise activity there is, and nothing could be easier. By following a simple programme of walking, you can obtain the level of fitness needed to alleviate some of the physical stress of Hajj. Walking punishes the body far less than jogging or swimming, yet is an effective way of improving respiration and heart function.
The aim of this walking programme is to bring on subtle, progressive changes to the aerobic capacity of the body. The aerobic capacity is the body's ability to use oxygen during exercise and this programme is simple. It involves walking a little further than you do normally each day and increasing the distance gradually. The day-to-day improvements to your health, may well be very small and unmeasurable, but don't be put off, when the time comes to leave for the Holy City you will notice the improvement.
This is known, in the fitness world, as the progressive overload principle. To illustrate this principle we can take a look at the legendary tale of Milo. Milo was a warrior in ancient Greece who used the technique of lifting the same calf every day to build up his strength. Milo found that as the calf grew so did his strength. Over a period his strength improved significantly enough to allow him to lift the cow when it was fully grown. This tale shows how the body responds and adapts to steady increases in the workload.
You should, at the first opportunity, put on your walking shoes, set a destination and start your walking programme. Listen to your body, if it aches on the day after your walk, do not increase your distance, if it doesn't, do - say by an extra half mile to start with. You haven't got much time so I suggest you start almost immediately!
Another important factor to consider is the heat. Most of us who do not live in a country near the equator are not acclimatised to the intense heat that is experienced during Hajj. Because of this, our body defence systems are not adequate to cope with the maintenance of the temperature and body fluid balances. This can leave us open to the life-threatening conditions of heat stress and dehydration. During vigorous physical exercise a person can sweat at a rate of 4 pounds of water every hour. This water must be replaced. If a person loses more than 5 per cent of his or her weight in sweat, they face the danger of becoming dehydrated and thus increasing the risk of heat illness. The only way to combat this is to continue to drink at frequent intervals - up to four pints a day is recommended, that's about 12 glasses. The body's thirst mechanism is not a good indicator as it underestimates the need for fluid.
Finally the motivational factor deserves a special mention. Each Haji, who was asked to comment, said that their absorption into the spiritual experience was intensified just through being in the company of people with the same objectives. They went on to say that they also gained additional mental and physical strength. There is evidence that people are prepared to perform their duties, with reverence, in the face of adversity. It was reported that, in 1969, people continued to walk around the Ka'abah despite the fact that it had been flooded and there was 5 feet of water! So if you are going to get the most out of the Hajj please ensure that you are at your best spiritually, physically and mentally.
And while you are there could you please save a prayer or two for this humble correspondent!
Appeared in Q-News International Online (http://www.q-news.com/), Issue 260; March 1997 - Dhul Qada 1417 http://www.aapi.co.uk/q-news/260p26.htm