Health Guidelines For Hajj And Umrah

The more physically fit you are, the easier it would become to perform the many rituals associated with Hajjand Umrah. If you have decided to perform a walking Hajj, then it wouldbe very important for you to be as fit as possible. This will require walking as much as possible, starting about 6 to 8 weeks before departure, walking greater and greater distances as the time of departure arrives….The performance of Hajj is obligatory on all adult Muslims who have the means to make the trip to the Holy City of Makkah. Umrah is regarded as a minor pilgrimage withonly part of the required rituals performed. Whosoever enters the Mi’qaat (boundary of the Holy Land) has to perform Umrah, which includes Tawaaf (seven circuits around the Holy Kabah) and Sa’i (seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Murwa).Good health makes it easier not only to enjoy Hajj and Umrah in the pleasure of Allah Subahanahu Wata’ala but also to make maximumuse of the opportunity to make as much ibadah as possible.Health plays a major role in fulfilling the requirements of Hajj and Umrah as Hajj and Umrah can be physically demanding depending on circumstances prevailing at the time.The following is a guideline and must be accompanied by your own Doctor’s advice pertaining to your own health needs.PHYSICAL FITNESSThe more physically fit you are, the easier it would become to perform the many rituals associated with Hajjand Umrah. If you have decided to perform a walking Hajj, then it wouldbe very important for you to be as fit as possible. This will require walking as much as possible, starting about 6 to 8 weeks before departure, walking greater and greater distances as the time of departure arrives.A brisk walk for about an hour three times a week would be sufficient to prepare for a walking Hajj. During Hajj and Umrah, the footwear for men is specified in that the high arch on the top of the foot needs to be exposed. The sandles or slippers thatare used need to be broken-in well before Hajj and Umrah. Using your new sandles well before departure helps to make the feet accustomed to the footwear. Women may wear any comfortable footwear. Total distanceto walk – approximately 10 – 12 kilometres to Arafat and 10 – 12 Kilometres back to Makkah.Men are not allowed to cover their heads during Hajj and Umrah. Furthermore, in the case of Hajj, men may have shaven their heads recently from the performance of Umrah. It would therefore be advisable to expose the head to the sun whilst exercising before departure so that the head (scalp andface) and neck can become accustomed to the sun. This can alsobe done in Saudi Arabia before Hajj starts.The sooner exercise is started, the better. For those who can, brisk walking, stationary cycling, swimming, etc. would be excellent forms of exercise. Even if one is not performing a walking Hajj, these exercises will help tremendously.Tawaf – approximately 200 metres to 2 kilometers depending on the crowd present and where it is performed, e.g., 1st floor of the Haram.Sai (Safa – Marwa) – approximately 3.5 kilometers.Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallum often spoke of the importance of physical fitness in general.Physical fitness is therefore very important.CLIMATE IN SAUDI ARABIAJeddah is on the coast of the Red Sea and therefore enjoys a slightly humidclimate in summer. It becomes less humid in winter.Makkah is about 70 kilometers inland. It has an escarpment around it. One of the most famous sources of drinking water is from the Holy well of Zam Zam . There is very little vegetation in and around Makkah due to the low rainfall. The Great Arabian Desert is all around Makkah. The climate is dry. Temperatures are extremely high, usually in the forty degree Celsius range and sometimes going into the fifties in summer.Medina is situated about 500 kilometers north and is about 150 kilometers from the coast. It is a large oasis with the Great Arabian Desert all around it. Because of the numerous wells providing excellent water, it has date orchards spreading out on to the outskirts of the city. The climate is dry and hot, the temperatures not reaching as high as in Makkah. In winter, it can become cool to cold especially around Tahadjud and Fajr times.DRINKING WATERWater obtained from bore holes is brought to the hotels in tankers. Water is stored in huge tanks on the top of hotels.Drinking water has to be bought in the form of bottled water. However, Zam Zam is available freely in Makkah and in Medina. Since this is an opportunity to drink as much ZamZam water as possible, plastic containers easily obtainable can be filled with Zam Zam water and brought to the room.Because of the hot weather conditions, it becomes necessary to drink water in abundance. Less urineis passed due to the hot conditions. The body conserves water by concentrating the urine. It is not good to pass very concentrated urinefor a variety of reasons. Drink enough water so that the urine is clear. Passing clear urine indicates good hydration.Drinking brackish water can causes a sore throat, stomach cramps and a cough from the irritation in the throat. The sore throat can be confused with a throat infection. Zam Zam water is abundantly available in both the Haramain. ZamZam water is also available from taps outside the Haram Shareef. Plastic containers may be purchasedoutside the Haram Shareef, either empty or full of Zam Zam water. ZamZam water that is available in storage containers in the Harram Shareef is cooled in cooling chambers. Ice is not added to the Zam Zam water. Every group of Zam Zam water containers in the Haram has one container that does not have cooled water. Arabic writing on the container would indicate which container has Zam Zam water that is not cooled.Although the authorities provide disposable cups for drinking Zam Zam in the Haram, people unfamiliarwith this practice often mix the used cups with the unused ones resulting in confusion. If one is unsure, rinse out the cup well before use. It is through the sharing of cups that infections can spread from one pilgrim to another. People come from all parts of the world with different hygienic control. What one may find offensive may be quite normal for another. The important thing to do is to avoid picking up infections from this source.The Hajj authorities in Saudi Arabia do an excellent job of keeping the Zam Zam water area and containers as clean as possible. Clean drinking cups are always available. Despite hundreds of thousands of people going through the Harram, the authorities keep the facilities exceptionally clean.Drink adequate amounts of fluids especially water throughout your stay.CONTROL OF EXISTING HEALTH PROBLEMSIt is very important for anyone who takes regular medications to have enough supplies available for use during their stay in the Holy land.Medications are available from Pharmacies. Please take a prescription from your doctor with you in case your medication gets misplaced or runs out. The names of the medications may be different andcan be confusing. It is far better to take adequate supplies of your own medications. Make sure that you continue to take your medication regularly.ArthritisArthritis needs to be controlled well before departure. Your Doctor is the best person to ask for guidance on medication. Please do not take advise from people who are not properly qualified. The treatment of the arthritis would involve decreasing the inflammation in and around the joints that are affected. Once the inflammation has settled, then light exercises to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint would help tremendously. Again be guided by a Doctor with the help of a Physiotherapist.Start treatment well before departure.People who suffer from arthritis of the weight-bearing joints should lose weight if they are overweight. Less weight would result in a decrease in load bearing on the joints.Control arthritis well before departure.Care of the backMost people would travel with heavy suitcases when going overseas. Going to Makkah is no exception. In most cases, it will be found that most of the clothes taken will not be used. Travel light.Back strain is a common problem. Most people suf