Are you traveling for Hajj this year? Have you compiled a list of packing? Packing for Hajj can be overwhelming. We must be careful not to overstuff or miss out on any essentials. Here is a comprehensive guide for Hajj packing essentials.
Travel Documents
This is one of the most essential things you will carry. Hajj is a very crowded excursion. So keep all your documents safe in a belt pouch secured tightly around your waist. You can also use a waterproof document organizer and keep it safely in your backpack. These documents include:
- Visa
- Passport
- Vaccination certificate
- Identity documents
- Hotel reservation proof
- Flight tickets
- Emergency contact information
- Tour operator details
All such documents are very important in case you miss your group or are left behind.
Finances
Another packing essentials are the currency notes, coins, and debit/credit cards. You must keep all kinds of money, as you never know what you might need on the road, for example, for transportation, entry fees, or petty purchases. Make sure you keep the money safe. Do not carry all your cash with you. Just keep as much as you deem important.
Clothing and Footwear
Men wear the Ihram when traveling for Hajj, while women wear modest clothes. Keep an extra set of Ihram so that you can wash one and wear the other. Keep extra safety pins to tie the Ihram properly. You can pre-wash the Ihram to make the fabric wearable. Other than this, keep simple and weather-friendly clothes. Here is a list of clothing essentials:
- Loose-fitting modest clothes
- Socks
- Undergarments
As for footwear, pilgrims must wear sandals with straps as part of Ihram. Make sure you walk sufficiently in those sandals to make yourself used to them. Apart from this, you might need comfortable footwear such as sneakers or lightweight shoes for ziyarat.
Personal Care Items
Do not forget to pack hygiene and personal care items. Here is a list of the most common ones.
- Unscented soap
- Miswak
- Unscented shampoo
- Wipes
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Unscented lotion
- Unscented deodorant
Medicines
Keep a first-aid kit for emergencies. Walking in such crowds and extreme temperatures causes blisters on the feet, dehydration, and muscle pain. Also, massive crowds make viral infections inevitable. So keep a medicine kit having all of these supplies.
- Paracetamol
- Analgesic balm/spray
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Anti-allergy
- Non-sedating cough syrup
- Bandage
- Blister strip
- Antiseptic lotion/liquid
- Any other medicine prescribed by the doctor
It is very common for pilgrims to have medical insurance. This comes in very handy as people sometimes end up in the hospital in the worst cases.
Accessories
These are things that make your trip comfortable. If you are content, you can focus on your worship better.
- Sunglasses
- Extra scarf (for women)
- Umbrella
- Hat
- A small backpack to carry a prayer mat, mobile, water bottle, and snacks.
- Inflatable pillow
Electronic Gadgets
Although when a person embarks on Hajj, he does not care about everything he leaves behind. All that matters is his connection with Allah. Yet, for safety reasons, it is important to carry a charged mobile phone. Make sure you have the following electronic gear with you.
- Mobile phone with charger
- Power bank
- Ear phones
- International SIM card
- A small torchlight
Religious Kit
One of the most important things to pack for Hajj is your religious kit. This inlcudes the following items.
- A small prayer mat
- Tasbeeh
- A small book of supplications
- A small-sized Quran
Dry Snacks
Hajj is a very difficult journey where you have to walk miles in harsh weather conditions. So you must keep stock of dry food items. Make sure you keep healthy and energizing stuff.
- Protein bars
- Dry fruits
- Dates
- Zamzam
- Biscuits
- Chips
Other Things
Here are some other important things you should pack when going for Hajj.
- Zipper bags
- Sewing kit
- Laundry detergent
- Electric kettle
- Disposable bags for dirty laundry
- A small diary
In The End
Remember, it is your chance to transform your life and the hereafter. So make sure your trip is smooth and convenient. Carry only important things, as there is a lot of traveling in the Hajj. Those traveling from other places, for example, if you are traveling for Hajj from Chicago, New York, or anywhere else, check for information such as weather updates, latest visa regulations, and vaccination requirements. A well-informed and prepared pilgrim is likely to be more focused on his worship.
