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A complete الحج checklist covers eight areas: documents (passport, visa, vaccination records), health (الأدويةs, الإسعافات الأولية, fitness), clothing (الإحرام garments, comfortable sandals, modest wear), worship items (القرآن, دعاء book, الصلاة mat), technology (phone, power bank, offline guides), finances (SAR cash, cards), knowledge (learn rituals, listen to lectures), and a final-day checklist (debts settled, will written, family informed).
Ensure all travel documents are in order well before departure: (1) Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your travel dates. (2) الحج visa — typically arranged through authorized الحج operators in your country. (3) Printed copies of hotel reservations, group itinerary, and operator contact information. (4) Two passport-size photographs. (5) Vaccination certificates — المملكة العربية السعودية requires meningitis (ACWY) vaccination and may require other vaccinations depending on your country of origin. COVID vaccination records may still be required. (6) Travel insurance documents. (7) Copy of your will and power of attorney. (8) Emergency contact card with your name, nationality, blood type, allergies, medical conditions, hotel address, group name, and group leader's phone number — carry this on your person at ALL times. (9) International driving permit if applicable. (10) Keep digital copies of all documents in cloud storage and offline on your phone.
Physical and medical preparation is essential for surviving the demands of الحج: (1) Medical check-up — visit your doctor for a full check-up at least 2-3 months before الحج. Discuss the physical demands and any health concerns. (2) Vaccinations — meningitis (ACWY) is mandatory. Ensure routine vaccinations (flu, pneumonia) are up to date. (3) Prescription الأدويةs — bring a 2-week supply minimum with a doctor's letter. Keep in original packaging. (4) First aid kit — include: pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), antidiarrheal (loperamide), oral reالترطيب salts (ORS), electrolyte packets, antihistamines, bandages, blister plasters, antifungal cream, antiseptic wipes, واقي الشمس (unscented), lip balm (unscented), N95 masks, and eye drops. (5) Physical fitness program — start walking 5-10 km daily at least 8 weeks before الحج. Practice walking in الحرارة if possible. (6) Dental check-up — resolve dental issues before travel. Dental pain during الحج is debilitating. (7) Chronic conditions — if diabetic, hypertensive, or asthmatic, discuss الحج-specific management with your doctor. Bring monitoring devices.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Pack practical, climate-appropriate clothing: (1) الإحرام garments — at least 2 sets for men (izar and rida'). Pre-wash to soften and test the fit. Practice wrapping and securing them. (2) الإحرام belt or waist pouch — essential for holding money, phone, and documents during الإحرام. (3) Comfortable sandals — broken-in, non-slip, with good arch support. Bring 2 pairs. Your footwear is critical — blisters can ruin the entire الحج. (4) Modest regular clothing — for days between العمرة and الحج (Tamattu' الحجاج) and post-الحج. Light, breathable fabrics. (5) Light rain jacket or poncho — rare but possible in some seasons. (6) Small towel and washcloth. (7) Sleeping bag liner or light blanket — for مزدلفة. (8) Small الصلاة mat — lightweight, foldable. (9) Unscented toiletries — soap, shampoo, deodorant (check they are truly fragrance-free). (10) Small scissors — for hair trimming (التقصير). (11) Compact umbrella — for sun shade during outdoor rites. (12) Sunglasses — جائز during الإحرام.
Prepare items that support your worship during الحج: (1) Pocket-size القرآن or القرآن app with offline access — you will have extensive waiting time ideal for recitation. (2) Dua book — a reliable collection of authentic الأدعية from القرآن and السنة. The best is 'Hisn al-Muslim' (Fortress of the Muslim) by Sa'id al-Qahtani. (3) الحج guide booklet — a concise guide with the rites in order. Study it thoroughly before departure. (4) Personal دعاء list — write down all the الأدعية you want to make, especially for عرفة. Having them written ensures you do not forget in the moment. (5) Tasbeeh counter or digital counter — for tracking الطواف circuits and السعي laps. (6) Small notepad and pen — for journaling reflections and recording spiritual insights. (7) Earbuds — for listening to القرآن recitation or Islamic lectures quietly without disturbing others. (8) الحج manasik audio lectures — download from scholars like ابن عثيمين or ابن باز for review during travel.
Technology is a powerful tool for a successful الحج if prepared properly: (1) Smartphone with offline capability — download all maps, guides, and content before arriving. Cell networks are severely congested during الحج. (2) Power bank — at least 10,000 mAh, ideally 20,000 mAh. You will not have regular access to charging outlets at منى or مزدلفة. (3) Charging cable and adapter — المملكة العربية السعودية uses Type G plugs (same as UK). Bring an adapter if needed. (4) Local SIM card — purchase a Saudi SIM upon arrival for better connectivity than international roaming. Zain, STC, and Mobily are the main carriers. (5) Offline maps — download the مكة, منى, عرفة, and مزدلفة areas for offline use in Google Maps or الإحرامOS. (6) الطواف/السعي counter app — الإحرامOS provides GPS-assisted counting that works offline. (7) Emergency contacts pre-programmed — save 911 (Saudi general الطوارئ), 997 (Saudi ambulance), your embassy number, and group leader's number. (8) Small waterproof phone pouch — protects against sweat, زمزم water, and accidental rain.
Proper financial planning ensures peace of mind during الحج: (1) Saudi Riyals (SAR) — bring cash in SAR. Many small vendors, barbers, and services only accept cash. Exchange currency before departure or at the airport upon arrival. (2) Credit/debit cards — carry at least one international card (Visa/Mastercard) as backup. Notify your bank of travel to المملكة العربية السعودية. (3) Budget — plan for: meals (SAR 30-60 per day), personal items, barber for head shaving (SAR 10-30), charitable giving (sadaqah), and souvenirs/gifts. (4) Fidyah/dam money — set aside funds for a potential sacrificial animal (approximately SAR 500-700 for a sheep) in case you commit an unintentional violation. Tamattu' and Qiran الحجاج will need a هدي (sacrifice). (5) Debt settlement — pay off all debts before departure, or arrange repayment with creditors. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would delay praying the funeral الصلاة for someone who died in debt until the debt was settled (صحيح البخاري, 2289). (6) Will and financial documents — leave clear instructions for your family about assets, debts, and responsibilities. (7) Sadaqah — prepare money for charity. الحج is a time of generosity.
Learning the rites before departure is واجب عند many scholars: (1) Study a reliable الحج guide — مستحب books include 'How النبي Performed الحج' by Sheikh الألباني, 'The Rites of الحج and العمرة' by الشيخ ابن عثيمين, and 'الحج and العمرة Guide' by الشيخ ابن باز. (2) Watch lecture series — many scholars have video explanations of each day's rites. Study these 2-3 months before departure. (3) Memorize essential الأدعية — the التلبية, دعاء between the Yemeni Corner and الحجر الأسود, دعاء on الصفا and المروة, and general الدعاء formulas from القرآن. (4) Understand the differences between pillars (arkan), obligations (واجبat), and سنةs of الحج — this knowledge determines what invalidates الحج, what requires فدية, and what is merely missed reward. (5) Learn basic Arabic phrases — 'Ayn al-hammam' (where is the bathroom), 'ana da'i' (I am lost), 'atareeq ila منى' (the way to منى). (6) Attend pre-الحج workshops — many مسجدs and الحج operators offer preparation classes. (7) Read the hadith of Jabir (صحيح مسلم, 1218) — the most comprehensive description of النبي's الحج.
On the day before you leave, go through this final checklist: (1) Pray two ركعة and make دعاء for a safe journey and an accepted الحج. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever leaves his home and says: Bismillah, tawakkaltu ala Allah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah — it is said to him: You are guided, sufficed, and protected' (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5095, authenticated by الألباني). (2) Say goodbye to your family. Inform them of your itinerary, الطوارئ contacts, and when you expect to return. (3) Give charity (sadaqah) before departing. (4) Forgive everyone who has wronged you and seek forgiveness from anyone you have wronged. (5) Verify all documents are packed. (6) Check phone is charged and all offline content is downloaded. (7) Leave your home clean and affairs in order. (8) Make the intention sincerely for Allah's sake — not for prestige, social media, or the title 'Hajji.' (9) Say the دعاء for leaving the house and the دعاء for travel. (10) Begin with 'Bismillah' and place your trust in Allah.