Before Starting Journey to the Blessed Pilgrimage – Hajj
Before leaving for the journey for Hajj, make your conscience feel that you are going for Hajj because Allah the Almighty is pleased with you and has paved the way for you to perform Gusl and wear the Ahram clothes. Perform Wudu and offer these Nafl Namaaz:
- 2 raka’at Shukrana Nafl.
- 2 raka’at Nafl-e-Tauba.
- 2 raka’at Nafl-e-Haajaat.
- 2 raka’at Nafl-e-Safar,
- 2 raka’at Nafl with the intention of Umrah Ahram.
Give alms (sadaqa) and request your neighbors, friends and relatives to excuse you for your shortcomings and misbehavior towards them.
ON BOARD THE SHIP OR PLANE
When the ship or plane is about to leave, recite the following du’aa:
BIS-MIL-LAA-HI MAJ-REE-HAA WA MUR-SA-HAA IN-NA RAB-BEE LA GA-FOO-RUR-RA-HEEM
In the name of Allah be its course on carriage or landing. Verily my Lord is forgiving and merciful.
During the journey keep reciting Al-laa-hu Ak-bar or the following du’aa:
SUB-HAA-NAL-LA-ZEE SAKH-KHARA LA-NAA HAA-ZAA WA MAA KUN-NAA LA-HOO MUQ-RI-NEE-NA WA IN-NAA I-LAA RAB-BI-NAA LA-MUN-QA-LI-BOON
Now do the Niyyat that O Allah I am entering Ahram. This is formulated by pronouncing Talbiyah, i.e. Lab-baik Al-laa-hum-ma Lab-baik, 3 times loudly. Women should pronounce this softly. Once you enter Ahram, it becomes imperative for a person to complete his Umrah of Hajj for which he had done Niyyat.
Once you enter ahram you also have to follow the restrictions of Ahram.
RESTRICTIONS OF AHRAM
- Do not apply perfume, do not eat or drink anything with strong smell.
- Do not cut nails or uproot hair.
O Allah This sanctuary is Thy sanctuary. And that of Thy Prophet. Forbid my flesh, bones and blood to the fire of Hell. O my Lord Allah, I beseech Thee to secure me from Thy torment. On the day Resurrect Thy slaves Thou Verily Thou art Allah and there is no god save Thee.
The Most Benevolent and Merciful. After entering Makkah Mukarrama and leaving your luggage at the place of your stay, perform Gusl if possible or even Wudu will suffice, and then proceed to Haram Sharif. Enter the Haram Sharif with your right foot first through Baabus-Salaam (and keep your eyes lowered and do not raise them till you are right in front of the Ka’aba) and recite this du’aa:
BIS-MIL-LAA-HI WAL-HAM-DU-LIL-LAA-HI WAS-SA-LAA-TU WAS SA-LAA-MU A-LAA RA-SOO-LIL-LAA-HI SAL-LAL-LAA-HU A-LAI-HI WA SAL-LAM
In the name of Allah, Praise be to Allah and Blessings and Peace on the Messenger of Allah, on whom be Peace and Blessings.
AL-LAA-HUM-MAT-TAH-LEE AB-WAA-BA RAH-MA-TI-KA WA MAG-FI RA-TI-KA WAD-KHIL-NEE FEE-HAA
O Allah open upon me the door of Thy Mercy and Forgiveness and grant me to enter in this Haram.
BIS-MIL-LAA-HI DA-KHAL-TU WA A-LAI-HI TA-WAK-KAL-TU WA NA-WAI-TU SUN-NA-TALI’-TI-KAAF
In the name of Allah I am entering (Thy House) and with faith’ on Thee and with intention of Sunnatul I’tikaaf (attending in Thy House, paths shown by Allah’s Messenger – Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
The first glance of the Ka’aba is very important because it is the time for the acceptance of prayers. Therefore, be particular, to beseech Allah at this time for the betterment of yourself, your family members, your relatives, your friends, your acquaintances, in this world as well as the Hereafter, and recite this dua’aa particularly:
AL-LAA-HU AK-BAR ——AL-LAA-HU AK-BAR ——AL-LAA-HU AK-BAR ——LAA-I-LAA-HA IL-LAL-LAA-HU WAL-LAA-HU AK-BAR
Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is Most Great.
This is the time for the acceptance of prayer.
