Tips

Here are some ideas, based on my personal experience only.

Better Go for Hajj when You're Young

• Don't wait until you're too old
• The Hajj rituals are physically challenging. It is especially hard for the old and the sick
• Certain situations require sharp thinking and quick actions
• Caveat: if we're too young, we might be too immature to really benefit and appreciate the Hajj

Take Good Care of Your Health

• We want to be at our peak to perform the Hajj and other ibadah there
• Eat well, and sleep well, don't overwork especially just before the Hajj days
• Don't take unnecessary risks
• If we get sick anyway, be patient with the trial

Arrange to Have Same-sex Company

• For the elderly or the sick, try to have a company of the same sex (eg: mother-daughter/father-son). Standard Hajj packages put women and men in separate rooms. Masjids (except The Grand Mosque) have separate gardens/doors/areas for men/women. Public toilets in Mina.. etc etc
  

Know some Arabic

• Most pilgrims speak (at least some) Arabic - I missed out chances to converse and get to know people
• It's useful especially when we need help, and to avoid misunderstanding
• Merchants do speak a little Malay as there are many Indonesian and Malaysian pilgrims. How unique it was where Arabic is the local language, and yet someone like me would ask the price in English and they would answer in Malay!

Take it Easy

• The Hajj is also spiritually challenging
• We meet and deal with people of all kinds, a little understanding does help
• Expect inconveniences and hardships. Look at the positives and the opportunity to learn. Physical hardship is good for the soul

Give to the Beggars, but..

• Once you give to someone, the others would swarm you. They could be a little physical. Be prepared to shield yourself from the harassment
• I gave to many beggars and at one time only, just before leaving Makkah. This was to avoid them from keep coming to me everytime they see me as I was afraid I would feel coerced to give and do so insincerely
  

May these be useful is some ways, insyaAllah.

Wallahu'alam

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