Hajj takes place during the last month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar. This means that days in a month are based on the phases of the moon, which makes the Islamic year around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
So, Hajj doesn’t happen at the same time each year, it moves back around 10 days every year based on the Gregorian calendar. This year Hajj, will take place from 11 to 15 August 2019.
Every year, over four million Muslims visit the country of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Muslims have been doing this for hundreds of years. Hajj is a pilgrimage that Muslims must make once in their lifetime as long as they can afford it and are healthy enough.
Hajj and Umrah require a great deal of physical exertion as the rituals of Hajj can be very taxing on the body. This compounded by the hot weather and being among hundreds of thousands of other pilgrims at the same time, often in limited spaces, highlights the need for good physical shape prior to the journey. Let’s look at the importance of being physically fit for the entire journey.
The hotel distance depends on the package, the further it is the more walking you will have to do between each prayer. Getting to your room in your hotel may also be quite challenging if the hotel doesn’t have lifts and your rooms are located on the upper floors.
Tawaf is an integral part of Hajj and Umrah that requires you to perform seven circuits of the Kaaba. The pilgrims must walk around it seven times which will actually mean covering a walking distance of at least 1.4 kilometres for the entire Tawaf. During busy periods the distance of one circuit can increase to between 400 and 500 meters, making the tawaf about 3.5 kilometres long. Walking with a crowd can be very tiring and can cause muscle cramps as a result of taking short steps over a long distance.
Sa’i is another action of walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times that will cover a distance of approximately 3.2 kilometres. People who are older or have mobility issues may find it difficult, so wheelchairs and motorized carts can now be used.
Although transportation is available to move pilgrims between sites during Hajj, many choose to walk. Walking may sometimes be the only choice due to traffic congestion or in the event the bus breaks down. If the entire Hajj is done by foot for example on the 10th of Dzul Hijjah, the distance between sites that need to be covered will amount to at least 20 kilometers. Therefore, you’ll begin to appreciate the need for being prepared physically.
Preparing for Hajj
One of the easiest forms of exercise and the one that you will be doing a lot during the journey is walking. About three to four months before departure, start a walking programme. Walking should start slowly, covering short distances initially for about 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a week. Gradually increase the speed and distance until you’re walking briskly to cover five to six kilometers at a time. Walking up hills and inclines will also be of great benefit as you will no doubt encounter these during the journey but watch your joints. Do not exert your joints. Look for a good remedy to lubricate and keep your joints healthy and supple as you will be using a lot of the joints during the Hajj and Umrah. Incorporate other exercises to prepare for the journey. Pay attention as well to your lower body muscles and hips.
Incorporating a stretching routine which helps to release tension in your hips and legs can be invaluable, especially if you’re someone who’s used to a sedentary lifestyle. If you’re overweight, you should also aim to lose as much weight as possible before departure as this can reduce the pressure on your joints.
Before you depart, adopt a healthy, well balanced diet and try taking some beneficial supplements that would help to increase your immunity, energy level, keep you hydrated and increase the flexibility of your joints, all of which will be a great help in the journey of a lifetime – the Hajj.
