By HARUN RAZAQ

Hajj as the last of the five pillars of Islam  requires early and adequate preparation. This is because hajj exercise involves a lot of money, time, and physical efforts. Early preparation will not only help to  minimise physical discomfort, decrease financial burden, but will enable the pilgrim perform the exercise in accordance with the dictates of shariah. The writer observed during his Hajj that many of those who performed Hajj rituals from Nigeria, especially for the first time could not perform the rites correctly due to inadequate preparation.

Getting information for hajj through the officials   (i.e. Hajj Board or agents) and obtaining document, medical checks etc., consume a great deal of time.

Actual date of departure

Four to five months ahead of the actual date of departure is not too much for starting to prepare for Hajj.

An intending pilgrim must have met the conditions of Hajj namely (1) must be a practicing Muslim with sound ‘aqidah (doctrine, faith, believe).  It must be noted here that faith is a condition of validity of the deeds and its approval in Islam.  (2) Must have attained adulthood. (3) Must be of a sound state of mind. (4) Sound health and Physical fitness to undergo the rigours of the journey and rites; Must be sure that the way to the holy land is safe and secure from any danger; Must be financially sound enough to be able to bear all of the expenses for Hajj, also to provide adequately for his dependants before leaving home.

Furthermore, an intending pilgrim must possess the following among others: Pure intention to perform the Hajj; expenses paid out of money obtained through legitimate means; must show patience and be able to forgive those who have wronged him; Perform Nafila Istikhara (prayer for seeking divine guidance), consult prophetic prayer book for details e.g.  Husnu Muslim (Citadel of Believers); seek knowledge of Hajj and Umrah through attending lectures, reading of books on Hajj, and get acquinted with all aspects of Hajj rites, such as, recitation of Talbiyya, duah (prayer), places of rituals; as well as imbibing the etiquette of travelling, air transportation among others.

The intending pilgrim must endeavour to pay all outstanding debts; return all articles put in his care to their owners; fulfill  his promises to others; right all wrongs. He may write his will or make a written acknowledgement of the transactions, promises, and debts he entered into with other people and keep it in a safety place accessible to family  members; meeting all travel conditions including immunisation such as inoculation, engage a family member to look after your family; inform the necessary people; make a lot of Dua’ that has evidence in Shariah; a female pilgrim must travel in the company of her husband or a Mahram (a member of her immediate family with whom her marriage is expressly prohibited by the Shariah e.g., father, brother, son, uncle,) and above all, he must be conscious and fear Allah in his actions and speech.