10 Tips to Endure your Spiritual Voyage to Haramain

Some people may be heading for the spiritual journey of a lifetime soon. So I just wanted to take a moment and give a few quick tips for those who will be traveling soon to perform the beautiful journey.  One should have an idea about what kind of challenges they’d be facing. And what can help them make this journey fruitful.

1. Learn some basic Arabic phrases. Not everyone have a good grasp on English. Sign-boards are in Arabic and it may become difficult for you to understand them. A few words or phrases will be helpful.
   
   
2. Start hydrating yourself so that your bladder is used to of that a lot of water, because hydrating yourself during Umrah means going to the bathroom every hour. And start walking daily to built up the stamina.
   
   
3. Take enough clothes so you don’t have to hand wash them constantly. Keep some cash in Riyals with you for: Fidyah , Sadaqah, to buy dates and Zamzam and for general use and food.
   
   
4. Emotions are no doubt are very high when you are going for the first time and somehow you tend to accept everything anyone tells you to do. Since everyone wants to make the best of their journey, you un-intentionally give it a try. But you have to be very careful because small things can sometimes render your bigger deeds useless. Instead, ask the knowledgeable people around.
   
   
5. Upon arriving at Jeddah Airport get a Saudi sim. It is for around 50 riyals. It is a must for your safety if you get lost in the crowd.
   
   
6. Avoid standing in the middle for any reason or just to offer prayers, instead choose corners, so you can pray calmly. Unfortunately, this is a very common practice over there. People stand in the middle of Tawaf to take selfies without even knowing that they have become a reason for holding off the Tawaf of other people.
   
   
   
   
   
7. AL-BAIK is mandatory and is an exceptional case, but try to avoid junk food as much as you can. Don’t stuff yourself when you plan to walk a lot.
   
   
8. Don’t push or abuse others. Avoid crowded places, if you find yourself stuck in between a lot of people try going back or ask for help if possible. Take your time while visiting Rawdah, Be kind, and give space to others instead of fighting for it.
   
   
9. There are two kinds of Qurans available in Haram, a green and a blue one. If you don’t know how to read the Quran without some of the ‘Harakats’ over the alphabets, then read blue colored Quran which is easier to read.
   
   
10. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT try to recover anything from the ground if you lose it. Not even that gold ring you cannot afford to lose. Not even think of it!!! Stampede is common in crowded places. Nothing is more important than your own life, everything else is replaceable.