Hajj is one of the five principal pillars of Islam, which every Muslims practices and is supposed to follow.
The five pillars of Islam are as follows :
- Shahadah : It is a statement that declares a Muslim’s belief in the oneness of God. It is the Islamic testament to religion.
- Salah : It refers to the five daily prayers that Muslims are required to perform.
- Zakat : Muslims are obligated to give charity throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, which is known as Zakat.
- Sawm : Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is known as sawm and is obligatory for Muslims who have attained puberty.
- Hajj : It is the final of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, which means Muslims must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives if they are financially secure.
Hajj Preparation in Mauritius
Every year, Muslims around the world, including Mauritius, eagerly await the Hajj.
Some people start saving money the year prior, while others have been saving for years in advance. Muslims believe that not everyone is destined to visit the sacred sites of Mecca and Madinah; rather, Allah invites them, and only those He chooses are given the opportunity. They also believe that with true effort and determination, Allah will grant their dream.
In parallel to saving money for the pilgrimage, many Muslims also wake up during the last third of the night to offer Salatal-Tahajjud, a voluntary prayer during which they passionately ask Allah to grant them the opportunity to perform Hajj.
Registration with the Hajj Mission in Mauritius
Mauritius has an official Hajj Mission that is supervised by the government. Pilgrims must be officially registered, provide any required documentation, and undergo essential health screenings and vaccinations. They must wait their time for selection, which may take several years due to the limited number of available slots in Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims typically travel in organised groups, escorted by a leader, and receive assistance with:
- Visa Processings
- Flight bookings
- Accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia
On the day of departure, the ministers in charge of supervising the Hajj Mission arrive at the airport, which is typically crowded with reporters and journalists to see off the pilgrims.
Hajj Essentials
There are some requirements that must be met when going to perform the Hajj. They are quite specific due to climate, health and distance travelled aspects.
Here is a list of Hajj essentials for pilgrims :
Knowledge about Hajj rituals : They must know about Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, Ramy al-Jamarat and Qurbani.
Duahs : They must carry a pocket sized or digital Duah book and also memorise essential supplications.
Intention(Niyyah) : They must have their intentions made for performing the Hajj and get themselves ready mentally as well as spiritually.
Important Documents and Travel Essentials
- Passports and Hajj Visa
- Flight tickets
- Hotel and transport bookings
- ID card or badge containing their identification details
- Vaccination certificates
- Emergency contact in both countries
- Copies of all the essential documents
Hajj Attires
When performing Hajj or Umrah, the pilgrims are required to be in a state of Ihram which refers to both the condition of ceremonial purity and the specific garments worn during the pilgrimage.
When entering Ihram, pilgrims must follow particular spiritual and physical rules such as wearing specific garments and refraining from certain acts.
Hajj Attire for Men
- Two white unstitched cloths : Izar which is a waist wrap and the Rida’ which is an upper body drape like a shawl.
These should be white in colour, plain with no designs and cotton or towel-like for comfort.
Hajj Attire for Women
- Plain abaya or loose fit dress preferably in the colour white or black
- Long Hijab which should be simple and breathable
Women are not allowed to use the Niqab which is a face covering during Ihram.
Tight and flashy clothes are not allowed.
Prohibitions for both Men and Women
Both men and women are not allowed to use fragrances or scented products.
Conclusion
When the Hajji and Hajja (male and female pilgrims) come back home, it is always an emotional and immensely respected occasion.
It is known that when their families go to pick them up from the airport, they bring flower garlands to welcome them !
