Hajj 2024 Experience
A profound spiritual journey - personal account with practical tips for future pilgrims.
A Profound Spiritual Journey
After months of intensive preparation, planning and anticipation, it was finally time: our journey to the holy city of Mecca to perform Hajj. Read our experience of Hajj 2024 below! We have included many tips!
The journey to Mecca
After months of anticipation and arrangements, it was finally time. We were allowed to go on pilgrimage to Mecca. All the stress and tension of Nusuk seemed forgotten as soon as we arrived at Schiphol, where many family, friends and acquaintances were seeing off the pilgrims.
We had a direct flight with Saudi Airlines from Amsterdam with 2x 23 kg luggage and 1x 7 kg hand luggage to Jeddah, which I highly recommend to everyone. It's so nice not to have to transfer in Turkey, Egypt or Jordan. You fly directly to Jeddah, where you take the bus to continue to Mecca.
Tips for the flight
- • Make sure you wear your ihram before boarding the plane
- • Travel as light as possible - you need the kilos for dates and gifts
- • Bring a Quran or Islamic book for during the flight
Once arrived in Jeddah, it feels like you're in a dream. It's still so surreal that you were in the Netherlands this morning and have now begun the greatest and most beautiful journey of your life. After extensive checks and waiting for buses, we could take a seat in a bus from Jeddah to Mecca.
Due to the many people trying to get to Mecca illegally, the bus journey takes longer than expected. There are many checkpoints where they want to check our visas and NUSUK card. Print your visa several times and store it in multiple places, so you always have it at hand.
Umrah and preparation for Hajj
After this exhausting bus ride, we were finally allowed to check into our rooms. We were welcomed with a tray of Zamzam water, specially for pilgrims. A few hours later we would perform Umrah together with the group.
Tip for experienced pilgrims
Have you performed Umrah before? Choose to perform Umrah without the group, so you can focus more on your own worship instead of constantly keeping an eye on the group. Disclaimer: For elderly or people with disabilities, going with the group is essential.
After we had performed our Umrah, we could leave ihram and we used the days until Hajj well to fill our hearts with iman and give our bodies the rest they need for the Hajj days. Make sure you don't do heavy physical activities before Hajj. You need this energy badly for the Hajj days.
8 Dhu al-Hijjah
Day of Tarwiyah
Hajj has officially begun. On this day we took our intention for Hajj and began the talbiyah again and continued our journey from Mecca to Mina. We were picked up by a bus from our hotel a few hours after Fajr prayer around 10:00 AM.
We had officially begun Hajj, masha Allah what a feeling and what a sense of unity. You see everyone around you reciting the talbiyah and everyone has the same goal: worshipping Allah (swt) as He has obligated us.
Packing list for Mina
Note: Rolling suitcases are prohibited in Mina. Bring a large bag or backpack.
In Mina everyone gets a bed couch, consisting of three cushions that can be folded into a chair or unfolded into a bed. At each sleeping couch you have access to an electrical outlet. In our tents we had tea, coffee, water, juices, soft drinks and snacks, all available 24/7. There was also always breakfast, lunch and dinner.
9 Dhu al-Hijjah
Day of Arafah
On day 9 we were picked up by bus in the morning to go to Arafah. We were brought to a larger tent. We stayed here from before Dhuhr prayer until after Maghrib prayer. In between you had space to go outside in the bright sun to make your dua, or you could choose to stay safely in the tent.
The entire focus of that day was to make as much dua as possible. That's why we also combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers to use as much time as possible for dua. This day goes by so quickly that if you're not paying attention, you won't get the most out of it.
Tips for Arafah
- • Bring: Quran, tasbeeh, dua book, umbrella, sleeping mat, prayer rug, water, bag for stones
- • Don't eat too much, so you don't fall asleep and can focus more
- • Drink enough - with dehydration you'll get headaches
- • Don't push to go to Jabal Arrahma - your dua is heard everywhere on Arafah
Muzdalifah
After Maghrib prayer, it was time to leave for Muzdalifah. We as the Netherlands were assigned the last spot, which meant we could only leave around 00:30. Arrived in Muzdalifah, it feels like you're experiencing the Day of Judgment. Everyone is dressed in white and entire plains are filled with pilgrims sleeping.
In Muzdalifah you pray Maghrib together with Isha and search for stones for the jamarat. You need a total of 70. Make sure the stones are slightly larger than a chickpea.
10-13 Dhu al-Hijjah
Days of Eid and Tashriq
Day 10 - Eid al-Adha
The journey from Muzdalifah to Mina was one of the hardest moments. Try, if you are healthy and fit, to walk to Mina directly after Fajr prayer. It's about 3-5 km and you'll be there before the rest.
After a brief refreshment we left for Jamarat al-Kubra. Walking was a great challenge - everyone was tired and it was almost 50 degrees. Bring a water spray for cooling!
Tips for the jamarat
- • Bring extra stones - you might lose some
- • Take the route of the tunnels to the upper floors
- • Avoid the ground floor - that's where it's busiest
- • Throw the stones preferably after Asr prayer (less crowded, cooler)
Day 11 and 12
On day 11 and 12 we visit all three jamarat. We throw 21 stones per day: 7 at the small one, 7 at the middle one and 7 at the big one. You no longer wear ihram, but your normal clothes.
On day 12 you can choose to return to the hotel after the jamarat. But my advice is not to leave Mina after two days. It's usually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Try to get the potential and hasanat out of it.
Day 13
On day 13 it is the calmest of all days. Many pilgrims have already left, making it easy to stone just after Dhuhr that day. After you have thrown these stones, you are done with the obligations and can return to your hotel.
Conclusion of Hajj
When you have arrived at the hotel you can refresh and sleep in a real bed. When you are well rested, you can do tawaf al ifadah and sa'i. Before you leave Mecca, it's important to do tawaf al wadaa - this must be the last thing you do before leaving Mecca.
"Hajj 2024 was an unforgettable journey, full of spiritual growth, unity and unforgettable moments. This experience has given us life skills and qualities that we will use daily. It was a lesson like no other, a rigorous exercise like no other and a gift from Allah (swt) like no other."
- Y. Daia
Most important tips summarized
Ready for your own Hajj?
Ensure good medical preparation. Make an appointment for your required vaccinations.