Preparing for the journey, and course review

Preparing the heart • The intention: going for Allah alone, neither for the title nor for the photos. "Actions are only by intentions" (Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907). • Repentance and rights: asking forgiveness of those one has hurt, returning what one owes, repaying one's debts or coming to an agreement with one's creditors. • The will (al-waṣiyya): writing it or updating it before leaving (see the course "Zakat and finance in Islam", lesson 12). "It is not right for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to spend two nights without his will being written and kept with him" (Bukhari 2738, Muslim 1627). • Learning: rereading this course, learning the talbiya and a few supplications, reading the meaning of the verses on Hajj (2:196-203; 3:96-97; 22:26-37).

Preparing the money • Lawful money: "Allah is good and accepts only what is good" (Muslim 1015). • A complete budget: the package, the hady (for tamattu' or qiraan), a possible udhiya for the family left at home, expenses on site, charity, and a reserve for a possible compensation. Indicative amounts: to be completed by the centre. • Leaving one's family enough to live on during one's absence: this is part of ability (lesson 1).

Preparing the body • One walks a lot during Hajj: walk regularly in the months beforehand. • See your doctor; vaccines required by the Saudi authorities and recommended by public health: to be completed by the centre. • Enough medication, with the prescription, in your hand luggage. • Women considering delaying their period with a treatment should speak to their doctor; the religious question is to be asked of the imam [À VÉRIFIER].

Preparing the journey (to be completed by the centre) • Registration and visa (official platform, approved agencies), valid passport, travel insurance, choice of agency, programme (Madinah before or after), preparation sessions at the centre, the group's contact on site. • Suggested packing list: two iḥraam outfits for men, a money belt, comfortable sandals already worn in, unscented products, a small bag for the pebbles, a water bottle, a light prayer mat, a parasol, a charger, a copy of documents, the group's bracelet or card, a list of supplications.

Hajj on one page • Before leaving: conditions and ability (lesson 1); choosing the way (lesson 4). • At the miiqaat: ghusl, clothing, intention, talbiya (lesson 2); respecting the prohibitions of iḥraam (lesson 3). • The Umrah (tamattu') or the arrival ṭawaaf (qiraan, ifraad): ṭawaaf, two rak'as, Zamzam, sa'y, then shaving or shortening for the Umrah (lesson 5). • The 8th: iḥraam (tamattu'), Minaa. The 9th: 'Arafa until sunset, then the night at Muzdalifa (lessons 6 and 7). • The 10th: large pillar, sacrifice, shaving, ṭawaaf al-ifaaḍa and sa'y (lesson 7). • The 11th, 12th (and 13th): nights in Minaa, three pillars each day after the zenith (lesson 8). • Departure: farewell ṭawaaf (lesson 8); Madinah (lesson 9); coming back changed (lesson 10). • For those who stay: the ten days, the fast of 'Arafa, Eid and the udhiya (lesson 11).

Questions to ask the imam before leaving • Which way (tamattu', qiraan, ifraad) suits my programme? • Where and when should I take iḥraam on my flight? • For a woman: the question of the maḥram; what to do if her period comes before ṭawaaf al-ifaaḍa and the group cannot wait? • For an elderly or sick person: leaving Muzdalifa, stoning by delegation, the wheelchair. • Which position should I follow when the group applies a practice different from the one I learned (stoning before the zenith, nights in Minaa…)?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Hajj begins long before the plane. Inner preparation comes first: a pure intention, mended relationships, settled debts, a written will. Leaving like this is already living the meaning of Hajj: leaving this world in order to turn towards Allah. The money for Hajj must be lawful, because Allah accepts only what is good. And the body must be prepared, because the rites require endurance: this is not a material detail, it is what allows one to be present at 'Arafa instead of being exhausted. The review of this course fits on one page: a few days, a few places, a few actions, always in the same order. Knowing it in advance frees the mind for supplication. Finally, this course has presented the differences between the schools without deciding. Before leaving, put your questions to the imam, then on site follow your group's position calmly, without quarrels.

Lessons to draw from it • Start a "Hajj" savings fund now, even a modest one. • Write or update your will before leaving. • Train by walking for several weeks before departure. • Take part in the centre's preparation sessions. • Print "Hajj on one page" and keep it in your pouch.

Key points to remember • Pure intention (Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907) and lawful money (Muslim 1015). • A will written before departure (Bukhari 2738, Muslim 1627). • Order of the days: 8th Minaa, 9th 'Arafa and Muzdalifa, 10th large pillar, sacrifice, shaving, ṭawaaf, 11th-13th Minaa and three pillars, then the farewell ṭawaaf. • Practical details (registration, cost, vaccines, agencies) are to be asked of the centre. • Personal fiqh questions are to be put to the imam before leaving.

The main message Hajj begins long before departure: purify your intention, your money and your relationships, learn the rites, and set off asking Allah to accept it.

The text: Surah Ibraahiim (14), verse 37 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 14:37]

Meaning: "Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a valley without cultivation, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among people incline towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may be grateful." The millions of pilgrims who head for Makkah every year are understood as an answer to this supplication of Ibraahiim.

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.