Essential Gear for the Hajj: A Comprehensive Guide for Muslim Pilgrims

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When embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage, Muslim pilgrims come prepared with a range of essential items, including straw hats, cross-body bags, and collapsible chairs. The spiritual significance of the five-day Hajj is profound for the faithful, as it provides an experience that brings them closer to God and the entire Muslim community.

Physically, the pilgrimage can be arduous. Pilgrims endure hours of outdoor walking in scorching desert heat while visiting holy sites in Mecca and its surroundings. They navigate through unimaginably large crowds, all striving to reach the same destinations. The presence of barriers and directions often means that missing a turn could lead to hours of additional walking.

Beyond learning the intricate rituals, which began on Monday, the more than 2 million pilgrims also gather valuable tips and tricks from seasoned hajjis, those who have previously completed the pilgrimage. These insights help them navigate the challenges they may encounter along the way.

Let’s take a closer look at the essential gear recommended by experienced pilgrims.

WHAT TO WEAR

Given the soaring daytime temperatures that regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), it is crucial to dress appropriately for the heat. The majority of rituals occur outdoors in the desert, including climbing the Mount of Mercy and stoning the Jamarat, a row of pillars representing the devil.

Sun hats play a vital role in providing shade. Many pilgrims opt for wide-brimmed straw hats or even cowboy hats. Colorful umbrellas can be spotted everywhere, while some even balance their prayer mats on their heads or use the canopies of umbrellas.

For men, the requirement is to wear simple white robes without any stitching, a rule aimed at promoting equality among the rich and the poor. Women, while covering their hair and refraining from using beauty products, have more flexibility to wear fabrics from their respective countries, showcasing the vibrant multiculturalism within Islam.

Choosing appropriate footwear is essential. It should be durable enough for long walks and easy to slip on and off, as pilgrims must remove their shoes before entering Mecca’s Grand Mosque. Sandals are a sensible choice, and some pilgrims also wear socks to combat the surprisingly cold marble floors of the mosque when circumambulating the Kaaba seven times.

WHAT TO CARRY

Carrying a daypack is essential to hold food, water, sunscreen, and other essential items. However, backpacks can be cumbersome when navigating through tightly packed crowds. A more popular choice among pilgrims is a cross-body bag that allows easy access without the need to turn around.

Many pilgrims also carry a separate drawstring bag or pouch for their shoes. While it is possible to leave shoes with an attendant at most mosques, the sheer number of people at the Grand Mosque makes it risky and time-consuming. Leaving your shoes behind would also restrict your exit to the same route you entered, which may not always be feasible when the crowd takes you in a different direction.

Umaima Hafez, an experienced hajjah from Egypt who has completed the pilgrimage five times, expertly packs her belongings. Sitting on her portable plastic stool, she reaches into her large pack and retrieves a blanket, homemade granola and crackers, a travel towel for keeping cool, an extra-thick prayer mat for added comfort, medications, and even her stool, which fits inside the bag. She carries this setup throughout the Hajj and then leaves the stool behind for others to use. Hafez insists that her bag isn’t heavy, emphasizing that everything becomes manageable with God’s blessings, and fellow pilgrims often share water and food generously.

Hassan Hussain, a 24-year-old first-time pilgrim from Britain, takes a maximalist approach, following advice from his sister who completed the Hajj last year. His bag contains his phone, charging cable, power bank, sunglasses, water bottle, British and Saudi currency, bank cards, shoe bag, prayer mat, and hydrating facial mist. He advises fellow pilgrims to overpack, emphasizing that you never know when you or someone nearby might need something. Hussain believes it’s better to be prepared and figure things out along the way.

In contrast, Ali Ibn Mousa, a 30-year-old father of seven from Russia, prefers a more lightweight and agile approach. He carries only a drawstring bag containing his phone and pilgrim ID. His focus is on what he can bring back from the Hajj, including his spiritual journey and a potential second wife. Mousa explains that a smaller bag allows him to maneuver quickly, enabling him to run inside the Kaaba while circling it.

CAMPOUT CHECKLIST

During the Hajj, the massive crowds of pilgrims move back and forth between various holy sites spread over more than 10 miles (16 kilometers), ranging from the Grand Mosque to the Mount of Mercy or Mount Arafat in the desert. Even within a single ritual site, it can take a significant portion of the day to walk from one end to another, such as Mina, where pilgrims stay in one of the world’s largest tent camps and engage in the stoning ritual symbolizing the devil.

Pilgrims must be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time in outdoor spaces, sometimes waiting for transportation or for the crowd to disperse, even in the middle of the night. Supermarkets like Ikram Mohammed’s in Mecca provide essential camping gear, including lightweight tents, sleeping mats, and collapsible water pouches.

These supermarkets also offer convenient food options like dried fruit, nuts, biscuits, and chips that can be consumed easily while on the move, without the need for refrigeration or utensils. In adherence to the prohibition on perfume, there are also fragrance-free toiletries available.

Mohammed’s store also features souvenirs for pilgrims to take home, ranging from chocolates and sweets to water from the sacred Zamzam well near the Kaaba. Pain relief creams for achy joints are another popular item among pilgrims.

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Note: This revised version maintains the content and information provided in the original text while making some adjustments to improve clarity, readability, and flow.

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More about pilgrimage essentials

• Hajj Pilgrimage
• Mecca
• Hajj Rituals
• Packing Tips for Hajj
• Hajj Camping Essentials
• Prohibited Items during Hajj
• Hajj Safety Tips