Being one of the five mandatory pillars of Islam, the act of Hajj can be defined as the annual pilgrimage to the house of Allah SWT in Makkah, Saudia Arabia., Muslims are expected to perform it at least once in their life. Every year, around 2 million Muslims visit the Holy Kaaba to perform Hajj.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Anyone that performs Hajj for ALLAH’s pleasure and avoids all forms of sin will return free from all sins, similar to as he was on his birth day.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
View this post on Instagram
When you’re packing and preparing for your trip, have two intentions. The first is that you are preparing and planning to allow yourself the ability to relax and focus on the important things on your trip — (like Hajj and all of the worship, resting, not exposing yourself to sickness in the markets, etc.).
The second is that because you’re preparing for Hajj now, make the intention that this is an act of worship which will allow you to do your part for preparing the worldly means necessary to have a successful Hajj, while leaving the rest up to Allah.
Here is a Hajj checklist to help you pack, and be prepared for the most physically demanding, yet spiritual experience of your life!
HAJJ CHECKLIST:
Clothing & Shoes
- Pair flip flops for bathrooms
- Shoe covers for tawaf, 1 reusable or a few disposable
- Comfortable walking sandals, 2 pairs
- Comfortable and airy clothing with extra Hijabs and Abayas for women.
- Extra pairs of ankle socks
Heat Management Supplies
- Mini squirt bottle
- Mini electric fan necklace, or a manual fan
- Cooling towel (you can find one that runners use)
- Large-brimmed hat to provide shade
General Supplies
- Door hook hanger for the bathroom, 2
- Plastic bags, a few
- Drawstring shoe bag (with pockets)
- Small travel bag to carry essentials at all times
- Sleeping sheet
- Small blanket (cut a small throw in half so that it fits inside of my sleeping bag liner)
- Yoga mat + carrying strap (not all of them at Bin Dawood had to carry straps, so I brought my own with me)
- Zipper seal bags in different sizes, a handful of each size
- Umbrella
- Eye cover/sleeping mask (ask your Hajj leader if these will break ihram)
- Sunglasses
- Extra clothing and travel detergent for emergency
- Sewing kit
- Travel pillow
- Backpack or small duffle bag for the days of Hajj
Electronics
- Portable phone charger
- Old phone
- Extension cord with multiple outlets
- International power adapter
Personal Hygiene
- Unscented soap (small pieces in a Tupperware)
- Unscented deodorant
- Unscented lotion or oil
- Unscented Vaseline
- Gloves, a few pairs
- Unscented hand sanitizer, 2 small bottles
- Unscented wipes, 1 pack split up into convenient zipper seal mini packs
- Disinfecting spray
- Unscented laundry detergent
- Unscented Sunscreen
- Portable lota to help with travel
- Toilet paper roll
- Small scissors
- Hairbrush and hygiene kit
- Nail cutter
Spiritual Supplies
- Notebook
- Pens, 2
- Dua book or app
- Personal traveling prayer mat
- Quran that you’re comfortable with, preferably small
- Budgeted, itemized shopping list
- Tawaf counter
- Tasbeeh
Medication
- Basic mini drugs kit (allergy, pain relief, anti-diarrheal/digestive problems)
- Antibiotics, get them from a pharmacy there (no prescription needed, just consult with a doctor in your Hajj group) if you end up needing them
- Sore throat and cough supplies (numbing lozenges and cough drops)
- Cold medicines of choice (you can get them in Saudi, but you might not find exactly what you’re used to)
- Topical pain reliever for sore muscles/aches and pains (try to get unscented)
- Vitamin C pills/immunity-boosting supplements
- Extra copies of passport and visas, 2
- Will/power of attorney forms, 2
- Permanent marker/Masking, packing, or duct tape
May Allah accept your ibadah, and transform your life spiritually!