Guides That Lit My Path: Books That Prepared Me for Hajj (Useful books)

 

1.       Nota Kursus Asas Haji

Very useful note with a simple and infographic explanation to remind me of the Rukun Haji dan Wajib Haji. I always refer to the 'Fiqh Wanita dalam Ibadat Haji' section whenever I am in doubt. I managed to go through all the videos from the Tabung Haji in the e-Bimbingan Haji portal: https://www.tabunghaji.gov.my/e-bimbingan

 

2.     Travelog Haji - Mengubah Sempadan Iman by Muhd Kamil Ibrahim

This is the eye-opening book on Hajj that I read before I went to the Hajj course. It was spiritually uplifting, allowing me to reflect on my intention and prepare myself. The author's description is so detailed that I tend to shed tears whenever I read it. There is a repetitive doa that has been mentioned by the author, "O Allah, please make me become the most special guest in your house". But when I went to Hajj, receiving the Hajj call itself was a special gift for each selected human being. When I talked to other people, most of them had their own stories and had endured hardship. A mother just recently faced the death of her beloved daughter, who took care of her, a husband who took care of his sick wife faithfully, and old couples who left their hometown for the first time and travelled abroad together with only one aim - to seek His pleasure and blessings. In the book, the author also set several targets for ibadah, which I found myself unable to strictly follow. I suppose the Key Performance Index (KPI) should be made on an individual basis and depends on your own capacity and capability. Do not force yourself to follow or surpass what other people do; it is not a race, but an opportunity to upgrade your own level of Taqwa. Everyone has their own pace, and Allah knows best what is best for His servant.

3.   On Pilgrimage..in the Prophet’s Company by Abd al-Wahab ibn Nasir al-Turairi

This book was given to me by a lecturer in my faculty when she found out I was going on hajj last year. She mentioned that it is difficult to get the book at the store or online, as no more copies were printed. I immediately made a copy {complete binding}, and it was useful to relive the Prophet's Hajj experience when I was reading the book during Hajj - especially the masyair part. It describes a step-by-step study of the Prophet’s pilgrimage, allowing me to appreciate the most splendid meanings of Hajj and receive the best lessons. There was an interesting description of Saidatina ‘Aishah, who was weeping as she was in her period during the Hajj. The Prophet consoled her and spoke to her gently, saying:

“This is something that God has created women with, and you are just a woman to whom this applies as it applies to all women. You will not be at a disadvantage. You do all that a pilgrim does, but do not perform your tawaf at the House until you are clean from menstruation. Join the pilgrims so that God may grant it to you”. (Al-Bukhari No. 305, 1560, 1786&1788; Muslim No. 1211)

 

4.     Bukan Sekadar Haji by Faiza Tohit

This book is a simple yet practical set of tips from a friend of mine who shared it with me personally a few days before I began taking leave from work. It records her personal experiences during the Hajj pilgrimage in the 1444H/2023M season. This book is rich with self-motivation, spiritual reflection, and guidance towards attaining a Hajj mabrur and seeking Allah’s paradise. Written from the perspective of a doctor, it offers a unique insight into the physical and spiritual journey in the Holy Land.

 

5.     Al-Quran al-Karim Mushaf Al-Nur (with meaning)

This Quran tafsir was one of the gifts provided by Tabung Haji Travel to all the pilgrims who went under their package.  This Quran interpretation is complemented with Asbab al-nuzul (occasions of revelation), tafsir, Quranic reflection, women’s fiqh, general fiqh, trivia, and selected prayers. I took my free time during my menses to read this tafsir, even though I was prohibited from reading the mushaf or entering the mosque to perform obligatory prayers.

 

6.     Haidh & Istihadhah for Dummies

As a young lady going for Hajj, it is important to equip yourself with in-depth knowledge on how to count and record your menses correctly and in detail. Having irregular menses during Hajj is the least expected, yet it may occur due to hormonal imbalance as one adapts to the new environment. I was challenged with irregular menses during my early days of travel, as I was consuming oral contraceptive pills beforehand to avoid menses during Hajj. But that intention was wrong. I’ve encountered a talk on this Women and Hajj issue from the Interaktif Haji session on TV Al Hijrah (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kVlr08Xqg) and was struck by the wrong wish not having menses at all while performing Hajj.

I should not defy the fitrah; instead, I should be patient, keep good records and put my trust in Allah, the One who is All-Knowing. After several discussions with Ustazah Rohana, who patiently reviewed my menses records, I’ve created a menstrual calendar so that anyone who needs to discuss their menstrual record further can identify the istihadhah/period designation more easily.

One of the duas that was taught by my aunt (also highlighted by Ustazah Rohana) was Surah Hud, verse 44:

I was reciting this dua frequently, especially each time before drinking zam zam water. There are many ways to sow your seed of rewards during Hajj, not limited to performing ibadah inside the Masjidil Haram. Adhering to the prohibitions during the menses itself is a jihad for ladies. We can still perform dzikr, read tafsir, help people in need, and perform sadaqah. Should a young lady take contraceptive pills to prevent menses during Hajj? The usual advice will be to consult your doctor or gynaecologist. But not all doctors understood this matter well. As a medical doctor with experience in irregular menses, I advise a young lady to reflect on her menses beforehand. The OCP may be useful for those who are having irregular menses, but not for those who have regular menses, and their menses won’t affect the completion of the Hajj rules. Stay positive and always put your trust in making it easy for you.

 

7.     Doa di Tanah Suci (Bahasa Melayu) by Ust Haji Mohd Hishamuddin bin Mansor

Sudden distribution by an unknown person when I was queuing to enter the waiting hall at Mövenpick. Like an immediate answer from Allah, it provides me with really useful scripts that kept repeating when I lost my words in dua… may Allah bless the person who made these initiatives. It is entirely in Malay, so the requester can relate more when they are making dua.

 

6.       My Doa book

During the last night before my departure, thanks to my daughter (Maryam), who helped me type some dua from the Travelog Haji book. I also include all duas that were sent by my friends and family. This book became my notes and other additional documents I've collected throughout my Hajj stay. I used to stay in the hotel lobby and take notes, etc., reflecting on myself and trying not to rely on the phone when I make dua. I don't want to be distracted by notifications/messages while making dua. And at Arafah, the weather can be so hot that it may heat up the phone. So it's good to have a traditional backup for the dua list and scripts.