Where and how exactly does one begin in preparing for this journey?

Hajj has commonly been referred to as a ‘Spiritual Journey’, so as much as I am nervous on having the physical strength, I definitely do not want to let that be the main focus of my preparation.

From talking to those who have been before, they say there will be exhaustion and nothing can truly prepare you physically. My husband and I have begun our brisk walks and are doing our best to ensure we are eating healthy and keeping active. That may be the best we can do from a physical perspective.

But what about spiritually? How could I prepare my soul for this journey? I don’t know if I can ever truly be prepared, but from the day we made a Niyyah for Hajj, I wanted to start making small changes, as I knew they would take time. I want to ‘clean the rust’ as much as I can.

Here are a few things to think about:

1. Do I owe anybody an apology? Have I spoken ill of someone, or spoke behind somebody’s back, that I must go ask for their forgiveness?
2. Do I have a debt to pay financially? If so, I need to ensure it is cleared prior to going for Hajj.
3. Are my religious dues paid? Have I paid my Khums? The money I spend on Hajj cannot be considered ‘pure’ until I have given my Imam his share.
4. Which negative habits that distance me from Allah (SWT) do I currently have on my record? How can I work towards eliminating these?

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“You plan, and He Plans, and He is the Best of Planners”

The beginning of 2016 brought many worldly challenges for my husband and I, and it wasn’t exactly as we planned it.

But this time, there was a crucial element that was different. We decided that we would shift our mindset to look at everything that was happening in our lives, no matter how big or small, positively.

We would spin every challenge and hurdle to reflect that there was good reason behind why it was happening. We would stop staring at closed doors and start looking at the doors of opportunity that were being opened instead.

And my oh my! What wonders that did!

It is the 18th of May, 2016. My husband and I have made the intention for a trip of a lifetime: a visit to the House of God. We have made our intention to perform the Holy Pilgrimage, and though the call of ‘Labbayk’ comes solely from our Creator, we have began preparations both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

If we receive our invitation, we shall inshAllah depart from London, England on the 28th of August, 2016.

With 100 days in anticipation, I will be blogging more often, in efforts to learn more from others who have been before and to share thoughts with those who have also made the intention to go this year, or even in years to come. May God grant us all Patience and Virtue until our invitation comes.

With Du’as
Rumina