Since Haj is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, the importance of early and adequate preparation cannot be over-emphasized. The following guidelines (this is the second of a three-part series) are intended to get you started in the right direction. Since individual needs and preferences vary widely you will, in all probability, add to the list as you prepare for the journey:

Documents
a. Saudi Government regulations require your passport to be valid for at least six months past the date of your departure. If it is not, have its validity extended or get a new passport well ahead of time. It takes several weeks for a passport to be issued or extended under normal circumstances. Your local post office should have the necessary forms and other relevant information.
If you are not a US citizen and hold a “green card,” your passport also needs to be valid for six months past the date of your departure. Your travel agent will be able to advise you of any additional requirements.
b. You will need a round-trip ticket to Saudi Arabia for a Haj visa to be issued. Your travel agent will ask you for a specific package of documents to be submitted with your visa application. Normally, the agent will take care of the visa application as a part of his services.
c. Your travel agent will probably ask you for 4-5 passport-sized pictures for a visa and other paper work. Have an additional copies of the photos made and take them with you to the Kingdom. They may be needed for ID cards issued by your muallim and other Saudi documents and procedures.

General
a. You will be exerting considerable physical effort during Haj. All Haj rites (Tawaf, Sai, Rummy etc.) require a great deal of strength and endurance. In order to be prepared for the rigors expected of you, you must be in good physical shape. To achieve this, start a program of brisk walking and jogging for 20-30 minutes a day about three to four months before your departure. Gradually increase this regimen to an hour every day or every other day. After a few days of walking/jogging start reciting audibly the Talbiyah and the prayers for Tawaf.This will keep your mind occupied during the monotony of the exercise, and will also help you get in a peaceful frame of mind. Concentrating on the meaning of the prayers will help you get ready for the actual Haj as well.
b. Obtain and study books on Haj and its rites if you wish to know more about its history and traditions. Familiarize yourself with all aspects of the Haj process. Memorize the prayers you will be reciting and also learn their meaning. It requires very little effort to do so and it is so much more fulfilling and rewarding when you understand what you recite. It serves little purpose to recite prayers mindlessly with no comprehension of the words spoken.
The more you know about Haj, its obligations, and prohibitions, the more comfortable and at peace you will feel during the whole process. You will be confident of what you are doing, and will also be independent of the advice and prompting of your friends or a mutawwif. Your prayers will bear the hallmark of the single-mindedness and devotion born of knowledge and confidence. You will also be able to help and guide your less knowledgeable companions, answer their questions, and allay their fears.
c. A female pilgrim must travel in the company of her husband or a mahram i.e., a member of her immediate family with whom her marriage is expressly prohibited by the shariah e.g., father, brother, son, uncle, etc. A female pilgrim, who is 45 years of age or older, may be allowed to travel with a group of pilgrims without a mahram if a family in the group sponsors her. Ask your agent for details.

Things to take with you
The following is a comprehensive list of things you will need to take with you to make your journey, and subsequent stay in Saudi Arabia safe, convenient, and relatively care-free.

Ihram
The Ihram consists of two pieces of white, unsewn and plain cloth, either 100 percent cotton or light terry-cloth. These are cool to wear and also provide for better absorption of the heavy perspiration you will inevitably experience during Haj. The sizes of the two pieces are as follows: Bottom part : 45 inches x 120 inches; top part: 45 inches x 72 inches
a. Tear off two, two to three inch wide strips of a sufficient length from the same material. Use one as a belt to secure the bottom portion of the Ihram. Keep the other as a spare. An ordinary belt or fanny belt may also be used for the same purpose, but a strip of Ihram cloth is a lot more practical, and unobtrusive. It keeps the Ihram firmly in place and, unlike a fanny belt or pouch, does not have to be inspected by the police at the entrance to the Haram ash Shareef.

Medication
You can take elementary precautions to minimize your chances of becoming ill, and also to ensure that you will get back on your feet faster should you get sick. Getting and staying in good physical shape by regular exercise prior to your departure is a good first step. You can also carry certain medicines with you for use later.
• Ask your doctor to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to be taken prophylactically (i.e., as a preventive measure) throughout your stay in Saudi Arabia.
• Carry a reasonable supply of over-the-counter drugs mainly for pain, sleep-aid, diarrhea, nausea, cough drops, multi-vitamins, band-aids, anti-bacterial cream (for cuts)

Waist pouch (Fanny Pouch)
Keep valuables (documents, money, travelers’ checks, keys, credit cards, etc.) in the fanny pouch around your waist at all times. Do not ever leave your home without it. Be especially careful and wary in crowded places. Hold on to the pouch with your hand in crowds e.g., while doing Tawaf or when visiting Masjide Nabawi in Madinah. Buy a good quality fanny belt or pouch. It is a small but a very good investment.

Suitcase
Hard-cased, high quality luggage with a built-in locking system is highly recommended. Do not use a soft, vinyl suitcase with outside hasps for locks. Both the suitcase as well as the locks can be easily cut and the contents stolen. Always keep your suitcase locked and do not ever leave money, important papers or other valuables in it.
Your residential room will be periodically cleaned by the cleaning staff, and the best way to keep every one honest is not to offer any temptation. Take two sets of keys for your suitcase. Keep one set in the fanny pouch, and the other in a separate, and safe location.

To be continued next week

— Courtesy of Islamic Foundation UK