Visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj: Doing It the Right Way
Traveling is not only about witnessing the majestic architecture and soaking in the beauty of the breathtaking locations; it is also about learning about diverse civilizations and following one’s own religion’s practices. And for Muslims, they are called to undertake at least two journeys of faith in their lifetime - visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj.
Going on Hajj will show you the path to unite with Allah (God) and also enable you to reflect on your life’s purpose. As you prepare to embark on this holy journey, the first step is to apply for a Saudi visitor’s visa or a Hajj visa.
Pilgrims go for Hajj during the five days of Dhul Hijjah, which marks the end of the Islamic Lunar Year. Those traveling to the country can opt to enter the holy land of Mecca by land, air, or sea. They must reach Saudi Arabia a few days prior to the pilgrimage. And for this reason, it is advisable to apply for a Saudi visitor’s visa well in advance so that one can set out on the journey with time in hand. You can touch down in Medina or Jeddah and then reach Mecca with your Hajj group.
Completing the First Step of Applying for a Hajj Visa
Your pilgrimage journey to Saudi Arabia must be comfortable and peaceful. The first step for that is to apply for a Saudi visitor’s visa or a Hajj visa that is issued by the Saudi government.
Except for visa-exempt countries, everybody else needs an eVisa to enter the land. A couple of documents are required to apply for the visa. Once the documents (your passport, a digital photograph, return tickets, vaccination certificates, etc.) are in place, get on our online platform and quickly apply for the Saudi visitor’s visa.
- Fill out all the fields in the application form.
- Pay the fee for the visa application with a debit/credit card suitable for international transactions.
- Await your visa approval which will be sent to you via email.
You would be remiss to ignore the following:
- Women below 45 years should be accompanied by their father/brother/husband. But those above 45 can apply for a Saudi visitor’s visa and go for Hajj alone, provided they have written consent from any male guardian.
- Children below 18 years must have a guardian with them, along with their (the child’s) birth certificate.
- Those who have converted to Islam need to present a document from the imam as proof of his or her religion.
With the Hajj visa in place, the time has come for you to begin the holy journey.
Going to Hajj for Five Days
Religious ceremonies are performed during the Hajj in hallowed locations, such as Mecca's Grand Mosque. The Holy Kaaba, the most revered location in Islam and a cube-shaped building known as the abode of God, is housed in the Grand Mosque. People walk in a circular pattern around the sacred Kaaba seven times during the Hajj and Umrah. After that, they make seven trips between Safa and Marwa, two little hills inside the mosque that are separated by 450 meters.
This journey is compared to the one undertaken by Hajar, the mother of the prophet Ismail, when she was searching for water for her baby. Lastly, pilgrims sip water from the revered Zamzam Well, which symbolizes the spring that Allah created for Hajar and Ismail.
Rituals continue for four more days for those performing the Hajj. Mina, a tent city built close to Mecca, is where pilgrims spend the majority of their nights while performing the remaining Hajj ceremonies.
At Mount Arafat, which lies 20 km east of the Grand Mosque and the location of the Prophet Muhammad's last speech, pilgrims assemble on the second day of the Hajj. They remain here praying, confessing their sins, and hearing sermons from noon till dusk.
After returning to Mina the next day, the pilgrims spend the last three days of the Hajj there. They reenact the narrative of Abraham resisting Satan's temptation to defy Allah's commands to sacrifice his son Ismail by throwing pebbles at a stone pillar.
In a nutshell, here are the nineteen steps of performing Hajj:
Step 1: Intention and Preparation
Step 2: Entering the Ihram state
Step 3: Tawaf x7
Step 4: Safa and Marwa
Step 5: Clip/Shave Hair (Umrah ends)
Step 6: Praying and Resting
Step 7: Re-enter the state of Ihram
Step 8: Arrive at Mina
Step 9: Day of ‘Arafah
Step 10: Muzdalifah (under the night sky)
Step 11: Rami (stoning of the devil)
Step 12: Hady
Step 13: Shaving of the Head
Step 14: Tawaf al-Ifadha
Step 15: Saai’
Step 16: Rami (stoning of the devil)
Step 17: Spend the night at Mina
Step 18: Rami (stoning of the devil)
Step 19: Farewell Tawaf al-Wida Carrying the Essential Things for Hajj
Carrying the Essential Things for Hajj
Visiting Mecca and Madina once in a lifetime is a must for every individual following the Islamic religion. But to ensure comfort in the holy journey of Hajj, one has to know the essential packing details.
Documents
Carry a printed copy of the Saudi visitor’s visa along with your passport, ID proof, and vaccination certificates, which you will need to show at the Saudi International Airport.
Clothing
The clothing worn for the Hajj is ihram. It is forbidden for men to hide their faces or hair, and they wrap two pieces of fresh, unstitched white fabric over themselves. Women are not allowed to cover their hands or faces, but they can cover up their hair and wear their usual attire.
The ihram is a symbol of death. The white shroud that Muslims are buried in is symbolized by the white clothing that males wear. Moreover, it represents equality as everyone wearing an ihram has the same appearance, regardless of income or position.
Women need to bring along enough modest apparel, ideally white. According to Islamic tradition, white is a color that symbolizes simplicity and purity. Make sure you always have enough hijabs on hand to avoid shortages.
Do not wear:
- Transparent or sheer clothes
- Satin or silk
- Flashy ornaments
- Heavy garments
- Tight clothes that might hinder your movement
- Dark shades underneath the abaya
- Embroidered hijabs
Daily Essentials
Make sure you have your daily essentials with you, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, medicine, face wash, sanitary items, a towel, and slippers. In the event of an accident or if you lose them on the way there, always have spares on hand. Having more belongings becomes essential while traveling with family. It would be prudent to keep your bags in the hotel as you cannot bring them into the Masjid-ul Haram. Bring Islamic texts, Tasbih, Miswak, and a prayer mat in case you need them.
During the Hajj, you will have to walk and move between locations. Comfortable shoes will make it easier. Refrain from wearing heels or any footwear with heavy embroidery.
It is best to avoid bringing extra luggage to Medina or Mecca since it will simply slow you down. You might have little time to wash your things, so carry extra undergarments and also an additional bag for unclean laundry.
Has the Inclusion of Technology Improved the Pilgrimage Experience?
Millions of pilgrims go to Mecca annually, so planning is essential to a seamless journey. Travelers may use ride-sharing and taxi applications to navigate around the city, and mobile apps make it simple to organize and reserve transportation to and from Mecca.
Using near-field communication technology, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced Hajj smart cards in 2021. A Hajj card is given to each pilgrim, who scans it at kiosks to gain entry to sacred locations. Along with housing information, the cards also record the user's emergency medical and personal data.
Islam is expected to increase by 70% between 2015 and 2060, according to a Pew Research survey. Thus, by 2030, up to 30 million pilgrims will be able to do the Hajj and Umrah thanks to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which includes infrastructural upgrades and technology advancements. Along with this, the fact that pilgrims can now easily apply online for a Saudi visitor’s visa has made the holy journey smoother and more convenient.
The Land of Prophet Muhammad Awaits You; Ready to Go?
Going for a Hajj is a mandatory event in a Muslim’s life. And the journey should be a comfortable one. This is why you are advised to pack light and apply for the Saudi visitor’s visa well in advance so that there arises no complications later. If you adhere to the rules and do not do anything out of the line, you will emerge as an enlightened man after the pilgrimage.
Applying for the Hajj visa is rather straightforward. We can help you in the process; simply reach out to us.