Study Tips
Apply the golden rule to every aspect of Umrah and Hajj:
"What did the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) say, do or didn't do?"
Needless to say, you should understand all the rites of Umrah and Hajj.
There is absolutely no need to memorise any of the long and short dua's you find in many Hajj and Umrah books, for the different rounds of tawaaf and sa'ee. Most of these dua's have no basis in the teachings of our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
There is no special dua except between the Yamani and Black Stone corner.
Learn the dua's from the Qur'an and sunnah. For a list of some of these dua's you will find them in the website.
Read the meaning and try to understand the ay'at in the Qur'an about Hajj. The spirit and meaning of Hajj cannot be understood without its historical background.
Read the detailed description of the Farewell Hajj as related by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih Muslim, Volume 2, page 611.
Memorise the Talbiyah and its meaning:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ،
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَ النِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَ الْمُلْكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
"Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk.
Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal mulk. Laa shareeka lak."
"Here I am, O Allah, Here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.
Surely all praise, grace and dominion are Yours, and You have no partner."
For more details, rules and rites of Hajj and Umrah, we recommend the following material:
- The book of Hajj in Sahih Muslim.
- The book of Hajj in Sahih Al-Bukhari.
- Fiqh-us-sunnah volume 5.
- Getting the Best out of Hajj – Abu Muneer Ismail Davids
- The ultimate Guide to Umrah - Abu Muneer Ismail Davids
Study authentic references and discuss any unclear issues with a learned scholar.
Discuss with those who have performed Hajj so you may learn about any difficulties they may have faced.
Wudhu: Learn the fardh and sunnah requirements for wudhu. Learn how to perform tayammum.
Salah: As you will be performing many prayers in the Haram in Makkah (where the reward is 100,000 times for each salah) and in the Haram in Madinah, (where the reward is 1,000 times for each salah), it is imperative that you perform the prayers correctly in order to obtain the highest reward.
Learn about: What is fardh, what is sunnah and what is bidah (innovation).
Learn about the rewards of using a miswak (tooth-stick) before every salah. (The miswak is sold around the Haram areas in Makkah and Madinah.)
We recommend the following reading:
- The book of Salah in Sahih Muslim
- The book of Salah in Sahih Al-Bukhari
- The Prophet's Prayer by Shaikh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaani
- A Guide to Prayer in Islam by M.A.K. Saqib
- About wudhu, a book entitled, Sifat wudhu-in-nabee by Fahd ibn Abdur-Rahman Ash-Shuwaib
Janazah Salah: During Hajj it is more than likely that there will be a janazah salah (salah for the deceased), after the fardh salah.
It is normally announced over the loud speakers in the Haram. The announcement will also indicate whether it is for a male, female or a child, also if it is for more than one person.
A few important points we would like to mention:
1. Learn how to perform the janazah salah.
2. There are many rewards for performing janazah salah.
3. Do not be in a hurry after the fardh salah to perform your sunnah salah. As a musafir (traveller) you are not required to perform any sunnah salah, except that of Salatul-Fajr and Salatul-Witr.
4. Obey the sunnah by sitting for a while after salah, making istighfaar and dhikr. This way you will not miss the janazah salah if it is being performed.
5. Women should not miss this opportunity to perform the janazah salah, as they are equally rewarded.
As you will be performing many prayers while en-route to Makkah, acquaint yourself with the rules and laws governing the salah for the traveller (musafir).
Learn about the rules of wiping over your socks/shoes/khufs during wudhu, as it is very useful while you are in the aircraft.
If you plan to visit Madinah, learn:
o About the history of Madinah;
o What and where is Raudat-ul-Jannah, Quba Mosque, Al-Baqee cemetery, mountain of Uhud, etc.;
o The etiquette of visiting graves and the grave of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Learn some basic Arabic words, i.e. thank you; please; the numbers (this will help during shopping); hotel; where; clean my room; hospital; water; etc.
Sometimes only the slang Arabic words are used in shops, so if the shopkeepers do not understand you, try the slang instead of the colloquial Arabic. If they still don't get it, then maybe it is your accent or the way you are pronouncing the words. Do not despair, it is not easy!
If all else fails, speak English. You will be surprised to find that most of the shopkeepers can speak a variety of languages such as English, Urdu, and Malaysian.
