The first item to pack when going to Hajj is patience. You are in a dire and unusual situation for the sake of Allah (SWT). The exhaustion, lack of sleep and scarcity of resources will test you, but focusing on the main goal, which is earning the reward of Hajj Mabrur, will guide you to taking every single moment as a unique experience that was specially written for you. Each and every person present there is a special guest of Allah (SWT) and as such, only the pious take precedence over others in His (SWT)’s eyes.

Indeed, between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah your money will be of no use, you will have to do with the only clothes you will wear for 3 to 5 days. The sooner you detach yourself from worldly preferences and attach your heart to your acts of worship, the easier and more fruitful your Hajj can be for you, inshaAllah. 

Before preparing for the practical with packing, it is important to understand the different locations involved in Hajj and the unique experience you will have in each of them.

The city of Makkah

Makkah is the true city that never sleeps. If you’ve come from Madinah, you will notice the fast pace as well as the ebullition of the home to the Masjid al Haram. The whole city seems to have been carved out of rocks. The apparent effervescence of a vibrant city with its cosmopolitan food, shopping centre, will contrast with the interior peace you’ll find in your acts of worship.

The tent settlement of Mina

The sight of the impressive stretch of tents on your way to Mina is both intimidating and a moment of realisation that you are entering the Hajj. The minimalist setting is in itself an invite to embrace the spirit of Hajj. You are to rid yourself of all excess to concentrate exclusively on your worship of Allah (SWT). The uniformity of every unit, the narrow beds, the scarcity of resources are all reminders of how insignificant we are as individuals, but how much we are one as an Ummah.

Mount ‘Arafah

On Day 2 of Hajj, pilgrims start moving from Mina to Arafah just after fajr. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the plain of Arafah slowly whitens with pilgrims finding their spot to sit and invoke Allah (SWT) as long as they can. Suddenly, a barren land becomes the most incredible place on earth for Muslims. There is no shade, no comfortable bench. You will have to climb a little or maybe all the way to the top to seek the blessings of this particular day.

Muzdalifah

Just before sunset, pilgrims move on from Arafah to Muzdalifah and spend a night there under open skies and on plain grounds as there are no tents here. Muzdalifah will leave you with an eerie feeling. Depending on when you arrive, you will see the place filling up gradually. After you pray Maghrib and Isha in one, you will go from scavenging pebbles to sitting in one place due to the lack of space. 

Throughout your Hajj, you will see reminders of the life after earth as described in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is particularly true for Muzdalifah where you cannot leave the field until it is time to go to the Jamarat for your first Rami. 

Packing for Hajj 

Going to Mina and Arafat is the essence of Hajj. It requires meticulous planning as you will spend a maximum of 5 days at Mina and it’s highly advisable to pack lightly. Considering the fact that we have to stay in ihram till the end of Hajj, there is no need to pack extra clothes. Your ihram will become dusty and sweaty, but that is a part of the spiritual experience. 

Things to be mindful of during Hajj days: 

• Using toilets is a luxury in Mina and Arafat
• There will be a lot of walking around
• A narrow bed is the only space you have
• Water is always provided 

Type of Bag

It is best to take the most compact backpack you can find to pack your items in to take to Mina. Ideally, try to procure a camping backpack as they are insulated to protect things from heat, water and dust. In a standard Mina tent, a bed is a single and narrow foldable mattress that comes with a pillow. When the time comes to pray, you have to fold your mat to have some space. There is absolutely no space to store any bag larger than backpacks, hence the advice to pack lightly. Your backpack can also be used as your pillow. 

Things to Pack for Mina

Health and Personal Hygiene

In a small pouch like a wet bag, you should have:

• Unscented soap 
• Small washing cloth or a small towel
• Unscented baby wipes (biodegradable where possible)
• Toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste 
• Spare underwear or a set of disposable underwear (let’s say 2 per day)
• Panty liners in case you don’t want to carry disposable underwear.

In your backpack, you can pack:

• One extra pair of comfortable cotton outfit to wear under your hijab, a spare hijab and cap 
• Medicine: It is advisable to put your prescription pills in a small box, instead of large medicine bottles. Take the amount you’ll need for the number of days of Mina and keep a couple of extra incase you drop one while taking them. 
• Birth control or period prevention pills in case you plan to take any. 
• Over the counter painkillers, anti-flu, anti-fever and anti-nausea tablets.
• Solar protection: Ask a pharmacist or dermatologist to recommend the best SPF fluid or cream to use to protect your skin from extreme heat. Remember to always use fragrance free. 
• Sanitary pads if you think you might need them
• Nail clipper and a pair of small scissor you will use at the conclusion of your Hajj
• A small cheap phone with local sim to stay in touch with your family/Hajj mates.
• A few band aids.

Food

Food is provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. However, it is advised to pack dry food items such as saltines, biscuits and dried fruits to control your sugar intake and hold your stomach, thus avoiding going to the bathroom frequently. 

Electronics

Bring 2 full power banks so that you can charge them when the charging spots are free or maybe not have to find a place to plug your phone all through your stay. 

Pro tip: You can easily get lost in Mina and Arafah. If you have your phone and data, prior to leaving Makkah for Mina, download the map of the area going from Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah and the Jamarat. As soon as you arrive in your tent in Mina, mark your spot on Google Map. Do the same in Arafah. This tip will save you time and save you from getting lost. 

Miscellaneous Items

• 4 small pouches to store pebbles from Muzdalifah
• Asmall inflatable pillow
• A du’a notebook if your list of du’as is not on your phone or tablet.
• Comfortable shoes – It is highly recommended to find comfortable shoes you can walk miles with and go to the bathroom with. From my own personal experience, I would recommend Crocs LiteRide 360 or any comfortable crocs for that matter. You want shoes that are easy to slip in and out of, and shoes that you will forget about. It is also important that you break into any new shoes you are buying for Hajj before you leave as having burns and blisters can ruin your entire Hajj. 
• 100% cotton and comfortable undergarments for women to protect from chafing. 
• An electric water heater like an electric kettle
• A power extension cord
• A Prayer mat. It is best to take a thin, lightweight, foldable prayer mat to Mina that can pack flat and easily fit into your backpack.
• Always keep a tasbih with you, preferably an electronic tasbih you constantly wear on your finger
• Using the toilets being an extreme sport in Mina, you will barely have time to shower in under 5 minutes. Not only won’t you have time to use a towel, you won’t have anywhere to store it. Besides that small backpack, you do not need anything else. The staff on site will provide you with water, juice, breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

If you are travelling with family or in a group, you can also organise and distribute items to share which can help lighten the load for everyone. Depending on your Hajj provider, you may or may not have access to appliances, such as water boilers. Some of the tents have access to a fridge for cold water, thermos for coffee, milk and tea. To be on the safe side, make sure you have these items available to share. 

Other Useful Tips

Things to do before leaving for Hajj to prepare for Mina

The moments you spend between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah are not only spiritually charged, but they are also the most physically demanding moments of your journey. The walk to and from Jamarat daily is easily an hour’s walk. Bearing in mind that you might have to walk from Arafaat to Muzdalifah and then from Muzdalifah to Mina, try to walk at least 7 km every other day, at least a month prior to your trip. 7 km is about the distance you will walk on a complete umrah. It is also the average distance from your camp in Mina to the Jamarat. 

Before leaving for Hajj, consult your pharmacist or your doctor for the health essentials. It is advisable to take it easy before and after Hajj. Because of the climate of Mina, the concentration of people and the physical exertion, it is common for many Hujjaj to contract cold and flu which manifests with a distinct dry cough.

Your physical preparedness before arriving can make it easier for you to go through these draining days. To protect yourself, be consistent with your vitamins a few months before your journey and wear face masks to stay healthy. 

How to Avoid getting Heat or Sunstroke

Since Mina is in a desert, temperatures can soar during the day and heat can feel unbearable. To avoid getting heat strokes and save energy, try to stay in your tent during the day, unless you need to leave for toilet breaks. You can take a walk in the evening and at night to stay active or stretch your legs after spending the whole day in your limited tent space.

For instance, go to the Jamarat after Fajr salah, so you can come back at the break of dawn or keep the time you walk under the sun to a minimum. There is also a requirement to do Rami at appointed times. Generally speaking, in Mina the Ministry of Hajj staff start organising groups after midnight. Groups leave between midnight and right after Fajr prayer to return around 6 am.

Hydrate often and don’t voluntarily skip meals in order to best manage your energy through the time you are in Mina.

Each morsel of food is a special sustenance and rizq that Allah (SWT) has written down for you during the best ten days of the year and possibly your lifetime. Savour and enjoy them fully.

If you have extra days in Makkah or Madinah after Hajj, you might be tempted to go sightseeing or shopping. Listen to your body first and foremost. Even if you consider an extra Umrah before going back home, give yourself time to recover before doing so. 

We hope this guide has been useful for you.

May Allah (SWT) invite us all for Hajj and bless us with Hajj Mabrur. Ameen.