Your hajj starts in Mina. You will reach Mina already wearing your ehraam. I
will try to post a series of pictures showing an easy way to do your ehraam.
This was shown to me by a brother who traveled with us from Vancouver; I am very
grateful to him to showing me this easy way. Ehraam on your waist should not
just be tied around like a towel; you will have a hard time walking if you do
this. There is a link to a video created by someone else here
The drive to Mina can last between 2-12 hours, because authorities close roads and sometimes the drivers don’t know the way. Just be patient, you will get there eventually. This is why most agents leave early to get to Mina.
| Map of Mina showing tent 94 highlighted |
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Here is a closeup of our tent
| Close up showing locations of washrooms, shops etc |
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When you reach Mina, the first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the area. Every tent has a group number written outside (this is the group you are traveling with from start to finish for your hajj; our overall group number was 52 but for Mina we were staying with 52B) and note the tent number. If you get lost, your arm band will indicate your group number but you need to know your tent number. All the maps located in Mina show tent numbers.
Please note that the Group number on your wrist band has not relationship to the tent number when it comes to the Mina map, so knowing your tent number is very important.
The board at your entry gate into the tents will look similar to the following
| Sign posted outside your set of tents |
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A set of tents is given a number, for example our tent was in 94, but 94 is huge. The pole right next to our tent was 3/94, so we knew that if we reach 94 and then reach 3/94 we are home. It is very important to remember 94 and 3/94 to reach the tent in case you get lost.
The poles also have colors to help you guide
| Pole Numbering |
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I will try to obtain a numbered map of Mina to show how the tents are distributed.
In Mina you will have an air conditioned tent. The size of the tent depends on the size of the group; sometimes you will get a bigger tent and have more space, but sometimes the opposite will happen. Just be patient and remember the reason that you are going there. Typically the tents will be men only and women only.
Lay down your sleeping bag to mark your spot. Choose a spot wisely; if you don’t like the air conditioner freezing you, find a spot where the a/c will not directly throw its air at you. Try to stay away from entrances/exits for obvious reasons. Also stay away from the percolators otherwise people will be constantly passing you by.
Once in Mina, make sure you know where the washrooms are and where the shops are and once again make sure that you will be able to get back to your tent when if you go out. Within 94/3 there will be tens or even hundreds of tents which all look alike. Make sure you can follow the path from the entrance to your particular tent. The tents are also individually numbered, since our tent was very close to the entrance I did not pay much attention to the numbering, but the numbers are posted on the sides of all tents.
Washrooms and places for wuzu are abundant. But please keep in mind with the amount of traffic using the washrooms; it is not possible for cleaning staff to clean the washrooms. So please try not to make a mess. Water is abundantly available to clean up after you. Washrooms are also equipped with showers in case you want to take a shower. Always respect the elderly and form a line for the washroom and for doing wuzu.
A note to the ladies, please do not use the washroom to discard children’s diapers. Garbage bins are located everywhere and emptied from time to time.
Once again, if you keep the washrooms clean, they will stay clean.
The shops located outside start selling food mid day and in the evening. There are African ladies selling boiled eggs, fries etc (it is better to buy something from them in exchange for money, rather than giving the beggars something for nothing). Prices will be a little higher than outside. Ice Cream will also be available time to time.
When you leave Mina for Arafat, you will not be coming back until the next day. What you really need is your sleeping bag and medical essentials and some light food. This transportation will also be provided by the government and the bus will have your group number (52B) on it
The Arafat bus should not take very long, but sometimes when you reach Arafat, finding your tent takes time. Once again, be patient. Drink lots of water to keep hydrated. Mina tents are temporary tents and provide shade and a carpet under your feet. Cold water is provided in the coolers. Use your time well in Arafat, the stay in Arafat is your hajj!
This area will also be for the same group (52B) and marked with it outside. The transportation from Arafat to Muzdalifah will also be provided by the government and the bus will have your group number (52B) on it
From Arafat you will make you way to Muzdalifah. Within the sequence, this place is more basic than before; no air conditioner, no carpet and no tent. It is just like camping only there are a few million people doing it. The entrance to your general spot in Mina will also follow the same numbering (52B) but it will just be the sandy land and the night sky. Find a spot with your group and lay down your sleeping bag.
Try not to block pathways; otherwise people will be stepping over you to pass.
Some people leave in the middle of the night to go back to Mina, so try not to sleep next to them. When they leave, people will use the empty spot to pass you which will bring noise and sand to your sleeping bag (and to your face at times).
Here you will collect the stones for jamarat, most people use empty water bottles to collect the stones, and this method works out nicely (AS LONG AS YOU DON’T LOITER ANYWHERE). According to hadith, the stones should no bigger than chick peas. They should not be too big as to break the wall (or hurt someone) and not too light that they don’t travel the distance. Use your judgment or ask your leader.
There are limited washrooms in Muzdalifah, so the line ups will be long.
In the morning, you will be heading back to Mina. Please do not board a bus that does not have your number on it, do not fight, do not yell, and do not get angry. Leave that all behind.