Muslim's holy journey Hajj and Umrah
Thoughts on Spirituality
Think about you have a tailoring machine that malfunctions and does not provide the sewing quality you desire. You changed the thread type, and try to sew using different kinds of clothes, but it still broke the sewing pattern. You have a short time as you are hearing customer complaints. Since you do not have time to go to an expert and try to fix yourself. It didn't work out in the end, and now you need to wait for technicians to come and set it for you. You have some time, and now you decided to put together a list that you can explain to the technician better so that he can help repair it quickly for you. Take this analogy for our mind and body. We are built-in with all unusual complications due to the intellectual and complex structure of Human beings, and we need tweaks and fixes all time.
Every person is unique in terms of when we talk about life challenges. One person is wealthy but not healthy, and vice-versa. We need help from Allah SWT at every stage of life, and there are few opportunities we get in a life where we can make a change. Performing Hajj is one of the ones and is not only an obligation, but there are lots hidden in it, and it turns about to be demanding our commitment towards religiosity, society, morality, truthfulness, and purity. You will observe some change within your spritual journey called the Hajj (or Pilgrimage) preparation under the faith of Islam . You will focus on many things, not only on worship but paying off debt, forgiving yourself from your family and relatives, preparing your last Will, committing yourself to getting out of bad habits, and so on. All good things come into mind, and take this as sincerely as possible in the name of Hajj to fix yourself through worship and making Dua (or Supplications). There is numerous quote about intention. Your intentions and efforts, start generating rewards immediately, and so, whatever you do to perform the successful Hajj are all rewarding at the end and so, try to get away mindset for getting this done attitude about Hajj.
Before going to Hajj
Performing Hajj wasn't as easy as today; pilgrims had to plan many months in advance due to the lack of facilities and resources. Many thanks to Allah SWT, who helped us through technological advancement. Hajj has been becoming easier and more comfortable as time goes. In the past, Pilgrims had to walk or travel miles on camels or horses to reach Makkah and Madinah, which is not the case anymore. Even though growing facilities for Pilgrimage, there are many Muslims who consider the Hajj to be difficult. Don't we travel across the world and stays in camps for recreation in the forest or climb mountains where there are always risks and challenges, and additionally there are no adequate facilities available during our vacation plans and recreational activities but still we like to take hardships! The mindset about performing Hajj is crucial. I completed my Hajj alhamdulillah in 2016 with a positive mindset, and my Hajj experience was excellent. I suggest you take a positive mindset for your journey and amplify the lifetime opportunity to see one of the most religious houses of our merciful Allah SWT.
Spiritual Journey
Even though there are physical and mental efforts required, many Muslims regard the Hajj to be an ultimate wish or life goal to be there. Hajj is one of the signs of truth and genuine quality of our religion, and it's the only world congregation where such a mass of people gather to fulfill the religious purpose.
Planning for Hajj
You should prepare for better so that you do not have to worry about anything while you are in the Hajj or Umrah except worship. Hajj planning does not start before a month or two but instead after a year or before. It's not only involves material planning, such as air tickets or shopping lists, but also, searching for deep spirituality from the bottom of the heart. Plan for life rather than for only the duration of Hajj; I meant to get the most out of it. We have created a planning matrix for setting up your mindset about a spiritual journey.
Preparing Hajj & Umrah List
We aim to go for Hajj for worshiping and, most importantly, make a Dua in front of Allah SWT, the universe's owner. Have you ever found a market or shopping center where you could get what you wished, and a reply will be negative? Because there is no such thing available in the world that Allah SWT is offering to us. We cannot control many things ourselves, and we, as Muslims, rely on the begging in front of Allah SWT. One of the greatest things is, Allah SWT likes us if we demand in front of him. We strive to do all we can to solve our issues, but there is never a time or a situation for anyone without concern. Dua can change all in moments if we are determined and strongly believe in Allah SWT. As soon as you read our blog, do not wait and Start creating your Dua list, and you will feel happy coming home from a holy journey.
Hajj & Umrah Ritual guide
Our religious journey is filled up with many rituals that are time bound and requires the utmost attention to perform each of the ones, and Muslims going for Hajj do worry about more rituals than anything else. Performing rituals is essential but do not use all your energy in the beginning and middle part of the Hajj, and when the final portion of Our religious journey is filled up with many rituals that are time bound and require the utmost attention for performing each of the ones and Muslims going for Hajj do worry about much rituals than anything else. Performing rituals is essential but do not use all your energy in the beginning and middle part of the Hajj, and when the final portion of the Hajj takes place, you don't feel any zeal. Take the slow approach, Enjoy the time in Al-Haram Sharif and Madina-wa-munawwarah, meet & greet with pilgrims worldwide, and be ready to help someone rather than be troublesome. The other side of performing Hajj is to express love, compassion, patience, and positivism. Give opportunities to elderly or sick people during the Hajj while performing rituals. Some pilgrims aim to kiss the Hajre Aswat at the cost of anything, which is merely a to-do item. You may accomplish one or a few things, but there are many other things you can do as we mentioned before, such as having patience which has big rewards in front of Allah SWT takes place, and you don't feel any zeal. Take the slow approach, Enjoy the time in Al-Haram Sharif and Madina-wa-munawwarah, meet & greet with pilgrims worldwide, and be ready to help someone rather than be troublesome. The other side of performing Hajj is to express love, compassion, patience, and positivism. Give opportunities to elderly or sick people during the Hajj while performing rituals. Some pilgrims aim to kiss the Hajre Aswat at the cost of anything which is merely a to-do item. You may accomplish one or a few things, but there are many other things you can do, as we mentioned before, such as having patience which has big rewards in front of Allah SWT.
Read books on the history of Hajj
The holy city Mekkah and Madinah are enormous historical sites, and especially if you are going along with your children, this is where they will discover much of Islam and other Abrahamic religions. Throughout our educational study, we have learned about world history that may include the stories of kings, Queens, and Palaces in the context of the country, politics, cultures, etc., and most of the history has become a history of the past and died over time. When it comes to Hajj, you are not only reviving history but many hidden events that took place, including Prophet Abraham's sacrifice, Safa, Marwa, etc., are all give life lessons. The history of Mecca did not have a basis for creating status, caste, discrimination, politics, or pride; instead, it has full of compassion, patience, simplicity, decency, diversity, and unity. We encourage you to read history before going for Hajj to discover more love for the house of Allah SWT.
Map of Holy cities Makkah & Madinah
It's never enough in such a large area, especially in the Holy City of Makkah, where the masses gather. You may not need the entire city map as you would have the traveling facilities available, but It is better to have the layout for Haram Sharif and around the area. Understanding the layout would save time commuting in and around Kabbah. Maps would help you find, especially washroom locations, gates exits, etc.
