Zishan's Hajj 2015 - What Hajj looked like...

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• published: 01 Nov 2015
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Assalamalaikum All! I did hajj this year and this is what it looked like.(My apologies for the sound quality and for filming everything vertically!) - Click Show More to see all my tips! HAJJ TIPS: 1. Mobile Phone Packages - Mobily or Zain are two mobile phone companies you'll see advertised around and they'll do packages with 2GB or more data and then some credit for calls and texts. You might pay 20 or 40 Riyals for a sim card, some will come with data as part of the package, these are probably best. Others wont come with any data so if you get one of these then you'll probably have to top up to get a bit more credit and then buy a data package on top which is a bit of a hassle. Also check that your phone is UNLOCKED before you go to Saudi. Also if your phone takes a micro sim card then you'll probably have to use a cutter and most shops will have these as well so just do it carefully if they want you to do it (sometimes they do because then if it doesn't work for any reason it's your responsibility not theirs, which is fair enough). Try and find somewhere that sells a data package sim that is already in the right size for your phone. 2. Using GPS on your phone - This is super useful, just download a few apps that allow to use the map offline eg Maps.me, Nokia HERE or google maps. Download the map for Saudi Arabia and then you'll be able to switch on GPS and wont even need to use data or have any signal, it will still work fine. I found this very helpful in navigating my way around, less for Mecca but definitely for when you're in camp in Mina or travelling between there and Arafat and a half decent app will guide you straight to your tent. A massive help when you're worn out from the heat and many routes look the same! If you use google maps then download the offline map using that function in it but either of the other two apps are actually better when in Saudi. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps.pro https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps 3. Duas - Prepare your duas and supplications in advance. Put together a list of things that you plan to make dua for and ask people what they would like you to make dua for them for as well as you have time on the day of Arafat to go through lots of them. Get your dua books or your dua apps ready and make sure it works so you can get the most out of that day. Really take the time to think about all the things you want for yourself, for your family, friends and the entire Ummah. 'Dua and Azkar' is one I like: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ls.arabic 4. Guidance - Who are you going to ask for guidance if a situation arises that you're not sure about? Is something sunnah, is it Fard, does it need to be done in a particular order and what if you make a mistake. Are you going to defer to your group leader and are you confident with their knowledge, experience and background? You should expect there to be differences of opinions so decide how you're going to resolve that when you're there. Some people will go there having no understanding of what to do or how to do it and will depend entirely on their group leader. When stuck and their group leader is elsewhere or they've been separated (which is often the case) they'll just end up asking random people what to do and who may not have any understanding themselves. If you just try to copy what you see other people doing then you'll end up utterly confused, missing out important steps and really wasting your time when you could have read up on things yourself. Hajj rites are very straightforward so approach hajj the way you would approach any serious project or endeavour that you want to get right. Also remember there are booths set up around the place where the Saudi authorities have people who can speak different languages and can answer any religious question and in Mecca you'll see these with red lit up writing going around them. 5. Crowds - Expect there to always be crowds and be gentle with the people as many people will be moving in the same direction so don't rush or push into people or cause their discomfort. It's totally a case of go with the flow! If the crowds start to build up then leave a bit of a space for the people in front of you if you are able to do so. Sometimes there are little groups that will tightly hold onto each other for fear of any one of them getting lost, give them a break and allow them space to move even if they cause a bit of disturbance just show them compassion.