Hajj Day 1: 8th of Dhul Hijjah – travelinmakkah.com

The first day of Hajj, known as Yawm al-Tarwiyah, marks the beginning of Hajj. Pilgrims enter into Ihram and travel to Mina, spending the night there. This day serves as a time for pilgrims to mentally and spiritually prepare themselves for the Day of Arafat. It is a sunnah to perform Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers in Mina.

Hajj al-Tamattu

If you are performing Hajj al-Tamattu, you would have removed your Ihram garments after having completed Umrah.

It is mustahabb (recommended) that you take a shower, cut your nails and trim your moustache before wearing the Ihram garments for Hajj. Women are free to wear what they please, although clothing should be normal modest Islamic dress with a head covering of any colour. Hands and faces must be uncovered.

The date of the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah commences after the Maghrib prayer on the 7^th of Dhul Hijjah. You should complete all your Hajj preparations during these night hours.

You will then perform two rak’ahs of nafl salah, pronounce a new niyyah (intention) for Hajj, recite Talbiyah and enter into the state of Ihram, ideally after Fajr on the morning of the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah.

If you’re staying in Makkah, it is mustahabb to carry this out at Masjid al-Haram, although it’s also perfectly acceptable at your place of residence. Please note that you don’t have to travel to the nearest Miqat (Masjid Aisha) to enter Ihram.

If you have shifted from Makkah to Aziziyah before the days of Hajj, enter into Ihram there.

Hajj al-Qiran or Hajj al-Ifrad

If you are performing Hajj al-Qiran or Hajj al-Ifrad, you will already be in a state of Ihram as you did not leave Ihram after performing Umrah. You may take a shower, ensuring you don’t violate the restrictions of Ihram, i.e., use scented products, etc.

Leaving for Mina

Before you leave for Mina, prepare essential items in a compact backpack, avoiding a suitcase as there won’t be room in the tents for storage. Pack only essential items for the upcoming 4-5 days. Confirm with your tour guide what will be available or provided at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

Walking

You may also walk from Makkah to Mina if you wish to do so. The walk begins from the pedestrian tunnels adjacent to Safa and Marwa, which take you directly to the Jamarat in Mina. Once you’re in Mina, your camp may be at the far end, requiring further walking.

If you intend to walk to Mina, ensure:

You will be able to manage the walk (it is about 5-6 kilometres (3-4 miles) to the camps, taking approximately 2 hours), and it will not affect your Hajj later on.
The person leading the walking group knows his way to the camp.
You consider the welfare and safety of any women travelling with you if you are a Mahram.
If you are a woman, you are accompanied by your husband/Mahram. It is recommended that you don’t leave with a walking group without your husband/Mahram.
You stay close to your group; otherwise, there is a high chance of getting separated.

It is also advisable not to travel by taxi or private bus as it may prove difficult for the driver to get to the camps, especially since there are various checkpoints that need to be crossed.

Walking from Makkah

The pedestrian tunnel starts from near the Safa and Marwah side of Masjid al-Haram, close to the birthplace of the Prophet ﷺ, now a library. The tunnel is spacious, well-lit, and equipped with cooling blowers, facilitating a flow of people. Your walk through the tunnels should typically take about 30 minutes.

Exiting the tunnel leads to a sheltered pedestrian walkway open on the sides, marking entry into Aziziyah. Continue walking, stopping for breaks when necessary. Upon reaching a T-junction, turn right and walk on the right side of the Jamarat complex. Follow directions towards a walkway on the right, where you’ll see a sign marking the beginning of the Mina Boundary.

The Jamarat complex, with its three levels and round-shaped buildings housing escalators, will be visible on your left as you pass it. Keep to the left of the walkway alongside the complex until you reach the end. You will see the first set of camps in front of the Jamarat complex, with Masjid al-Khayf to your right.

The walk from Makkah to Mina typically takes about 2-2.5 hours, depending on stoppages and delays, covering an approximate 5 km distance. Bus travellers may take anywhere from 20 minutes to 4-6 hours.

Walking from Aziziyah

If you have a shifting package, you will stay in Aziziyah before Hajj begins. Check with your group leader or hotel for the shortest route to your Mina camp. If staying in Aziziyah, there’s no rush to leave immediately after Fajr salah as the walk to Mina is shorter than those starting from Makkah.

Depending on your hotel’s location, consider the time of sunrise to plan your walk accordingly. If your accommodation is near the Mina bridge, the walk may take 20-30 minutes.

Arrival

When you arrive in Mina, you will be struck by the fact that everything looks the same, so you must be careful not to get lost. Acquaint yourself with the area around your camp and identify some distinguishing landmarks so you know your way back to the camp.

In Mina

You will stay in Mina for the full day and part of the following day (9^th of Dhul Hijjah). After settling down in your tent, you will perform Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers in Qasr form, i.e. you will shorten the prayers as if you were a traveller.

You will spend the night of the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah in Mina. The wisdom behind staying overnight in Mina is to prepare you for Wuquf in Arafat and to seek Allah’s pleasure and mercy. Therefore, recite the Quran, proclaim the Talbiyah, and make sincere du’a on this day in preparation for the next.

With this, your first day of Hajj has been completed.

Spending the day at Mina is considered a sunnah rather than an obligatory duty. Therefore, if you were to miss the stay at Mina, you would have missed out on a significant sunnah, but you wouldn’t incur any compulsory fidyah for not fulfilling it.

History

Yawm al-Tarwiyah (Arabic: يوم التروية; “The Day of Quenching Thirst”), observed on the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah, derives its name from an old practice where pilgrims would drink water in Makkah and carry it to Mina, a place where water was scarce. This practice ensured they had sufficient water for their needs throughout the Hajj.

During his Farewell Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ performed Fajr at al-Abtah on Thursday, the 8^th of Dhul Hijjah, before leaving for Mina on his mount in mid-morning. When the caravan left al-Abtah, those of his companions who had previously left the state of Ihram after having performed Umrah reentered into Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj. They chanted the Talbiyah with their departure for Mina. During the journey, Bilal I protected the Prophet ﷺ from the heat of the sun by providing him with shade.

The Prophet ﷺ and his companions spent the rest of the day and the night at Mina, observing the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers during their stay there. The prayers consisting of four rak’ahs were shortened to two rak’ahs, i.e. Qasr salah was performed, and each prayer was carried out within its respective timeframe.

Facilities

Mina is situated east of Makkah Mukarramah, with its boundary starting about 3 miles away from Makkah.
It is approximately 20 square kilometres in size.
Mina’s camps are approximately 5-6 kilometres (3-4 miles) away from Makkah.
During Hajj, more than 100,000 air-conditioned tents in Mina temporarily accommodate pilgrims.
Mina is known as the “Tent City” due to its many tents.

Accommodation

Pilgrims in Mina and Arafat are divided into groups, and their accommodation is pre-allocated according to their country of origin. Streets and camps are numbered, so learn your camp number or note it down somewhere. Men and women normally stay in separate tents.

Before 2000, tents in Mina were small and basic. However, after a major fire in 1997, which killed over 200 pilgrims and injured many more, they were replaced with fireproof tents with air conditioning, electricity, lights, and electric plugs.

However, the comfortability of your particular tent really depends on your Hajj package. Some tents are extremely busy and cramped, so it’s best to check with your tour operator if you’re unsure about anything.

Men and women normally stay in separate tents in Mina.

Tips:

If you have a choice, don’t choose a tent near the toilets or a cooking area.
Try to choose a tent near the middle or back of the camp because the entrances to camps are usually busy.
If you are in a larger tent, choose a sleeping area closer to the back of the tent. The front and middle areas of the tent are normally used for salah, lectures, and eating, so you will avoid having to constantly move your things around to accommodate this, which can prove quite an inconvenience.
As soon as you enter your tent, claim your position by placing your belongings in the space you have selected. Avoid confrontations or arguments over space in the tent.
If you are performing Hajj with your spouse, you can choose the corner of the tent where you are both on either side of the partition. This allows for easier communication and sharing of food.
Don’t spend too much time discussing worldly affairs in your tent.
Don’t be too concerned about what is happening in other tents or which personalities are present in those tents.
Attend lectures in other tents if you feel they may benefit you.

Food

Hajj packages normally provide food for the days of Hajj, although you may have to pay a little extra if it wasn’t included in your original package.

You will need to check with your tour operator regarding the type of food that will be provided; meals can be pre-packed and come in a box, or they may be cooked and served directly to you. The time these meals are served can also vary, so be prepared to eat irregularly.

Some tents also provide unlimited water, soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee, ice cream and snacks.

There are some shops to buy food from in Mina, although the price of everything doubles during the Hajj period so be prepared to pay extra.

It is generally a good idea to keep biscuits, dates, fruits, and water with you. Ensure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as it can get very hot in Mina. It’s advisable to keep some sweets to provide you with some energy when you need it.

Sleeping

The comfort of your sleeping experience in Mina can vary greatly depending on your chosen package. For instance, the European al-Muaisim Camp offers makeshift beds, cushions, and blankets, ensuring a more comfortable stay. Your tour operator can provide more detailed information about the amenities available in your tent.

If your tent lacks these amenities, bringing a sleeping bag could be beneficial. Most tents in Mina are lined with carpets, adding an extra layer of comfort.

Boundaries

You must ensure you remain within the specified boundaries of Mina during the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th and possibly 13^th. The boundaries for Mina are indicated by large green signposts.

Sometimes, camps are situated in Muzdalifah, outside the boundary of Mina. If your camp is located outside the boundary, you must inform your group leader, as you have paid to arrange your accommodation in the correct location. However, avoid getting into an unnecessary argument with your group leader if this is the case.

Mosques

The main mosque in Mina is Masjid al-Khayf, located near the smallest Jamarah at the base of the mountain in the south of Mina. It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ, as well as 70 prophets who preceded him, performed salah here.

If you want to go to this masjid, make sure you know your way there or go with someone who does; otherwise, you may end up getting lost.

Medical Facilities

A hospital is located just opposite Masjid al-Khayf in the south of Mina. An additional hospital is near the old slaughterhouse, and various mobile clinics are located throughout Mina.

Toilet & Washing Facilities

Toilet and washing facilities in the European al-Muaisim Camp in Mina

Most of the camps in Mina have shower and toilet facilities. The toilets have been combined with shower facilities, which provide water 24 hours a day. Some camps also feature standalone showers, which can be more pleasant to use.

There is a combination of sitting toilets and squat toilets, i.e. a “hole in the ground”. The toilets are generally well-maintained and clean.

The toilet areas can get very busy, so be prepared to wait a while for your turn.

A combined toilet and shower cubicle in the European al-Muaisim Camp in Mina

There are also wudhu facilities available next to the toilet areas. Again, these facilities can get very crowded.