Hajj 2024
Hajj, one of Islam's most sacred pilgrimages, took place early this year June 2024. This brought millions of Muslims from all over the world to the holy city of Mecca. For individuals who embark on this journey, the experience is more than just a physical one. It is a highly spiritual act of dedication and rejuvenation. As the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is extremely important, representing the unity of the Muslim ummah (community) and a believer's obedience to Allah.
This year Hajj 2024 came and went in a flash. Reminiscing when I applied for the application through Nusuk and then eagerly waited for the booking to go live. The anxiety of missing the first round of phase 1. Staying up all night to book and receive confirmation, during Ramadan after a long wait. Then began the preparation for the big day, which involved attending lectures and packing etc for the days of Hajj.
Preparation
The website you register on is https://hajj.nusuk.sa/ you will need to upload your ID and verify your account. This usually takes a couple of days to accept, unless it's the weekend or some fault of yours which needs rectifying. Make sure, if you are applying as a family, to have one primary account which you then link/include other members once the primary person has their account verified.
After you have verified your account, research or make a list of agents/packages you wish to purchase. The website is just like an online shopping site, you click to add the product to the basket and then purchase. There will be many hurdles on the way, with the website crashing or not working the way you want but remember to have lots of patience. This is where the test truly begins.
The ideal suggestion is to have at least 10 packages in mind in case your primary packages get sold out. I had multiple choices listed but my heart was set on one and that was my primary package. Once you have a top priority list of what you want, by surfing through the packages once they become available to view. They gave us a month or so to view them with lectures running from service providers. Providing further information against their packages. Once you know what you want, you can then start topping up your wallet to the equal amount of your top priority packages.
When I applied, by the grace of Allah. I managed to get what we wanted with Al Bait providers and the agent I knew. The amount was a lot for myself and Mrs, but luckily we had saved and topped up our wallet enough to ensure we could secure our package.
Tips for Applying Through Nusuk
- Apply early so you do not panic
- Follow the instructions provided by Nusuk when applying
- Upload passport photos correctly in the format requested
- Make a spreadsheet or list of packages you wish to purchase once they are live to view
- Top up your wallet using the international card to Saudi Riyals. (I moved my money to Starling, which I then used to top up)
- Attend lectures and online seminars from various providers to get a rough idea
- Heart/Save the packages you wish to purchase to save time on the Nusuk website
- Once you are set on a package, place it in the basket ready for purchase
- Join Telegram groups to get the latest updates.
- You will get live and better updates using telegram rather than Nusuk themselves
Shifting and Non-Shifting Differences
Everyone was asking this question a lot, even to the point I got confused myself.
Shifting means you will shift from your luxury hotel in Makkah to another hotel in Aziziyah shared with only Males if Males and Females with only Females, closer to Jamaraat (Stoning) before the 5 days of Hajj. Once those 5 days are over, you head back to your luxury hotels for the duration of your stay. As a result, you will need to take all your belongings to the Aziziyah Hotel as you won't have that room available in Makkah.
Non-shifting means that you get the luxury of going back to your luxury hotel mid-way through the 5 days. Therefore, you only need to take the necessary/emergency items to Mina tents which lasts a couple of days. You will be able to return to the hotel to change/shower after completing the first part of the stoning, as well as your tawaf, sai, and hair shaving/cutting.
Hajj 5 Days Experience
Once that's all sorted this being the 5 days of Hajj.
On Day 1 of Hajj depending if you purchased non-shifting or shifting. You will need to bring the most necessary items with you to the Mina camps. Remember not to overpack as you will have lots to carry back with you head back from Mina camp. However, depending on, who your providers are Al Bait did provide certain necessary items but they were left at the Mina camps. Therefore we couldn't use or see any of it until we reached there.
Items provided within the backpack
- Fan
- Pebble Pockets Bag
- Tissues
- Umbrella
- Vaseline
- Counter Watch
- Hand Sanitiser
- Face Masks
- Travel Adapter
- Eye Mask
- Soap
- Dental Kit
Inside Mina Camps
Firstly, you make your intention after completing the Tawaf and Sai, and then you head off to Mina camps before Zuhr. After spending a day inside the boiling temperatures, it seemed like peak summer as the temperature inside Mina camps hit above 50 degrees. It felt like a sauna even with the AC running. Here, you spend a day praying all day before setting off to Arafah the next day.
Below the image was the pathway to the rooms from our Mina Camp, where the men were inside Al Bait's camp. Also, the toilets, were not bad at all, as they were being cleaned all the time as and when people used them. However, make sure you go well before Prayer times, as the queues are so long just to get in.
Inside the rooms, there are plugs for each sofa bed, so you won't have to worry about your phone or other electronics not charging properly. Since the beds here were designed to be used on a plane, you could fold them to form a chair or roll them out to lie down or sleep. The room was large enough to accommodate additional pilgrims. The only problem was that while individuals were sleeping, you had to leap over them to get in and out of the room.
For food, you had a buffet for all three meals. On top of that, people staying in our camp had access to unlimited drinks/teas/snacks and ice cream to indulge whenever they wanted in our camp.
Day 2 of Hajj
On Day 2, we took the coach to Arafah and were assigned a room with our fellow pilgrims. Here you can head to Mount Arafah to make as many dua's (Supplication) as you can or make your dua's around near the tents. I couldn't go up the mountain since it was unbearably hot. So I just walked around the tent area before going inside. Towards the end of the day, everyone gathered on the cement floor below to pray for an hour.
The toilets here were reasonable, but there were long lines, so make sure you arrive early, like well before prayer time. Lunch consisted of rice and lamb served in a box. However, we had an endless supply of snacks, drinks, and ice cream.
After dusk, it was time to head over to Muzdalifah by coach, where you spend the night until Fajr prayers. Here you combine Magribh and Isha and pick up to 49 pebbles. They are usually located around you where you are sleeping.
Day 3 of Hajj
Here you spend 5 or 6 hours depending on how early or late you arrive. We arrived quite late and, therefore spent around 3 to 4 hours collecting pebbles/performing our prayers and sleeping for a short while before setting off again to mina camps.
Before heading off to Stoning (Jamaraat) we had a quick refresher at Mina Camp. We then set off in a line to stone the last and one pillar. Once that is done, we tell the person who is responsible for sacrificing the animal to make the sacrifice on your behalf. You can then shave/cut nails etc change clothing at your hotel. After that's done you can make your way to Tawaaf and Sai.
We were able to go immediately after changing into our clothes because it was quiet, and we finished in less than two hours. Going any later seemed to take hours and hours for others.
Day 4 of Hajj
After spending the afternoon and evening at the haraam and hotel. We headed back to Mina in our normal clothes that same night, where we spent a further day in Mina. However, as it was so hot and people were unfortunately passing away due to the extreme heat. Our camps had a lockdown so no one was allowed to leave until it was safe.
Fortunately, at about 5 p.m., it was slightly cooler and less humid. As a result, we were able to squeeze everyone in the tunnel to Jamaraat. Throwing seven pebbles at three different pillars before returning to Mina.
Day 5 of Hajj
On the last day of Hajj, you go to Jamaraat again from Mina Camp and throw 7 pebbles at each pillar. Once that's over you head back to your hotel by walk or taxi if you're lucky towards the Haram in Makkah before sunset, which completes your hajj.
Make sure you complete Tawaf E Widah (Farewell Tawaf) before you leave Makkah.
On the last day, we returned to the hotel by coach in the morning because many of us had a lot to carry back. We then formed a small group and proceeded to Jamaraat, where we caught the next cab available. However, on the way back, it was congested, and we were unable to find affordable transportation. Because they were all pricey and charged at least three times as much. Finally, we decided to take a break and eat before taking a long walk back to our hotel.
Conclusion
Looking back at the experience, the journey was one memorable journey and will last for a lifetime memory. From the start of the processing to booking, then actually going to Saudi. Meeting people who we've never before, from Day 1 we got to know each other and it was brilliant.
A couple of things to take in was going to Madinah was perfect as you got to meet people from your group properly. Otherwise, heading to Makkah first would have been chaotic as you would have gone and done things on your own. Also, don't expect everything to go to plan, as in Saudi you have to go with the flow and have no expectations. Otherwise, you will fall into the trap of being disappointed throughout the whole journey.
We had many instances where plans did not go through and people moaned. However, you just have to accept what is in front of you and move on.
Hajj promises to be a profound and transformative experience for those who undertake it. It is a chance to reconnect with faith, seek forgiveness, and renew one’s commitment to living a life of righteousness. For many, the pilgrimage is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and the beginning of a new chapter in their spiritual journey. As Muslims from around the world prepare for this sacred pilgrimage next year, may their journey be blessed, and may they return with hearts full of peace and a renewed sense of purpose.
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” (Qur'an 22:27)
If you enjoyed this post you may like my other posts from Saudi Arabia:
https://adilmusa.com/what-to-do-in-makkah-a-simple-guide/
https://adilmusa.com/madinah-travel-diary-a-journey-of-discovery/
London-based Food, Travel & Lifestyle blogger. Blog space for all things FOODS, TRAVEL, ATTRACTIONS & LIFESTYLE. My blog has provided me with a real interest in food, lifestyle and travel.
For collaborations & press enquiries - please email me at [email protected].
