Hajj Essentials

A list of essentials based on my amazing trip to Hajj. Not all of the below essentials may be required. Some take a long the extras as a personal choice.

If you looking for a list of essentials for Ladies, a good site I came across was http://muslimahinsolace.blogspot.co.uk

• Ihram x 2 (or you can take one and purchase another one from there. I kept one as a spare in case the first got dirty)
• Slippers x 2 – Ensure these are suitable whilst in Ihram and comfortable. Keep a spare in your bag whilst travelling to Arafat and Muzdalifah. A pair of croc slippers were really comfortable.
• Belt to store mobile, money etc
• Seven Bead Tasbeeh (Useful to keep count of tawaaf)
• Lightweight sleeping bag for Muzdalifah. A light mat will do but not going to be as comfortable. You can purchase a mat from Saudi, if you don’t want to carry the sleeping bag around.
• Clothing
• Trainers
• Vaseline (small)
• Small water spray bottle (Highly recommended, for spraying on face to cool down)
• Essential Medication you take on a daily basis
• Additional drugs such as Paracetamol, diarrhoea tablets, Dioraltye sachets (excellent for replacing lost body salts), cough drops/medicine, energy tablets, E45 cream or any other cream for cracked heels. The chemists at Saudi sell a really good cream for cracked heels which was really effective.
• Toiletries (Shampoo, Shower Gel, Tooth paste, tooth brush, razors, trimmer, scissors, comb, brush etc)
• Snacks which will be useful between journey from Mina and Arafat and Muzdalifah such as few packs of biscuits and other dry food items. Again, can purchase from Saudi, but i took some high energy snacks with me. There are also people selling food and drink at Muzdalifah and drinks and food is offered at Arafat. But double check with your tour guide.
• Tea bags if you only use your favourite tea :). I loved the lipton tea available at most Saudi shops.
• Rucksack for use between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah
• Towels (Most hotels provide towels, check with your tour guide)
• Hajj guide/ Umrah guide, Dua books, Pocket Qur’an
• A cheap phone (Dual band). Buy yourself a Saudi sim whilst you are there. Recommended that all family purchase one and you store each others contact numbers. You can also take your smart phone along with you to connect to hotel wifi.
• Phone charger
• Tissue/Toilet Roll
• Spare glasses (if necessary)
• Deodorant/perfume if required
• Umbrella to protect from heat (Can be purchased from Saudi)
• Pocket Namaz Masala or a light one to pack in your bag whilst journey to Arafat and Muzdalifah.
• Pain relief spray or deep heat rub (for muscular pain). Just incase it’s required but again the chemists there offer this and employees are mainly english speakers.
• First aid kit
• Nail cutter
• Multi Vitamins
• Face mask (May be useful in a breakout, or prevention). Purchase the ones used by surgeons
• Ensure you have had the required injections and take the injections certificate with you. Most of these injections last 3 plus years so visit your GP to confirm as you may have had the injections if for example you have visited Saudi to perform Ummrah within 3 years. Best to double check with GP
• A pump bag to place your slippers or sandals in whilst praying. Most hajj tour operators will provide a pump bag when going for Hajj
• Travel adaptors as mains in Saudi are 2 pin
• Emergency contact numbers and worth keeping a copy with each family member when out and about. Also worth keeping hotel card with you.
• Photocopy of passport
• Small stringed bag (for stones)
• Suitcase locks + key
• Make sure you have all the travel documents necessary before you leave for Hajj  (Passport, Identity Card, Airline Ticket, Hotel Voucher, Transport Vouchers or tickets etc)
• Money
• Some will take a small kettle/iron along with them. Washing and ironing services are provided by most hotels so no need really, unless you want to save the cost on ironing services. Most tour guide off wash and ironing services as part of Hajj package so worth checking.
• Alarm Clock or use alarm on mobile
• Drinking water bottle. Avoid tapped water, stick to zam zam water ?

Do some research into Hajj

Good luck and enjoy your amazing journey InSha Allah, and please keep me in your dua’s. Stay calm as patience is tested. It is an amazing journey and you will come back wanting to go back again so enjoy your time there. Please remember me in your dua’s. Jazakh’Allah