Preparing for Hajj: The Physical Fitness

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim

(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

"And those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good." — [Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:69]

Assalamu Alaikum everyone,
In my last blog, I shared how I made the decision to perform Hajj with my father. Today, I want to take you through our preparation process, which was a crucial part of the journey. Preparation for Hajj is key to ensuring a successful pilgrimage, and it’s something that ideally begins as soon as one embraces Islam or if you are an existing muslim, whenever you reach adulthood. However, it’s never too late to start — once you make the intention or book your trip, the preparation should begin right away.

For us, preparation for Hajj was a process that had been unfolding since my childhood. My mother used to constantly narrate the stories of Hajj and Madinah, and my father did the same. These stories planted a seed of excitement and reverence for the pilgrimage in my heart from a young age. However, as we got closer to the actual trip, the focus shifted to the practical aspects — understanding what challenges we might face, what gaps we needed to address, and how to ensure a successful and meaningful Hajj.

Physical Preparation: Strengthening Our Bodies for the Journey

Hajj is a physically demanding journey, and it’s important to prepare your body for the long walks, the crowded spaces, and the rituals. There are two aspects of preparation: the physical and the Islamic (knowledge-based) preparation. I’ll dive into the physical preparation here.

For us, the physical preparation was especially important because my father had recently experienced a serious medical emergency. His doctor had advised against any strenuous activity, and some people even questioned whether it was wise for him to go on Hajj at that time. One of the major concerns was his inability to walk long distances — at that point, walking 10 steps was a struggle for him.

However, my father was determined. He wanted to do the Tawaf on his own feet, and I was determined to make that happen. The journey began with a simple yet crucial goal: we needed to increase his walking capacity. So, I researched local parks and gardens and found a nearby one where we could start walking. The goal was simple: to gradually work up to 3000 to 4000 steps without needing a rest.

Imagine going from walking just 10 steps to walking 3000 to 4000 steps in one go — it seemed daunting at first, but Alhamdulillah, with consistent effort, we made progress.

The Walking Regimen: Step by Step

Every morning, after Fajr prayer, I would take my father to the garden. The idea was that he would walk while I also did my own walking. Initially, it was challenging, but we were motivated by the end goal. Over time, my father’s confidence grew. At first, he could only walk about 50 steps without a rest, but within an hour, he was able to cover 400 steps. Gradually, we increased the distance, and before long, my father was walking 3000 to 4000 steps without needing a break.

It was truly incredible to witness. The transformation wasn’t just physical but emotional too. My father, who had once doubted whether he would ever walk again (like before) after his medical emergency, was regaining his strength and confidence. This was not only preparation for Hajj, but a reminder that with determination and faith, we can overcome many obstacles.

As for my own preparation, I had to focus on my stamina. I made sure I could push my father in a wheelchair for long distances. The goal was to be physically strong enough to manage the heavy lifting and to handle the demanding environment of the pilgrimage. I started walking 8000 to 10,000 steps a day with a weighted vest to simulate the physical demands of Hajj. Over time, I increased the intensity, knowing that endurance and strength would be critical for us both.

Incorporating Du’a into the Physical Preparation

One of the most important aspects of our physical preparation was combining it with spirituality. As we walked, we made Du’a. We had a list of specific supplications that we knew we would need to recite during the rituals of Hajj, such as during Tawaf and Sa’i. Walking became not just a physical exercise but a spiritual one as well. We took this opportunity to connect with Allah and strengthen our relationship with Him.

The practice of making Du’a while walking became a routine. It helped us maintain our focus and reminded us that every step, whether it was for physical strength or spiritual connection, was an act of worship. We envisioned ourselves performing Tawaf and other rituals, so that by the time we reached the Holy Land, we would already feel at home in our hearts, ready to perform the rites with devotion and sincerity.

The Results: Building Confidence and Faith

After four months of diligent preparation, we both felt confident and physically ready for the challenges of Hajj. For my father, the transformation was not just physical; it was also emotional. He started the journey believing that he wouldn’t be able to perform Tawaf on his feet, but by the end of our training, he was walking 3000-4000 steps without any issues. This restored his faith in himself and his ability to complete the pilgrimage. It also gave him a renewed sense of hope and confidence in life after his medical emergency.

For me, the physical preparation was equally important. The thought of carrying (pushing the wheelchair I mean here) my father for long distances, especially during Tawaf and Sa’i, was daunting. But with the right training, I gained the strength and stamina needed to fulfill my responsibility with confidence.

Gratitude for the Opportunity

As we prepared for Hajj, we constantly thanked Allah for the opportunity to embark on this sacred journey. It was a gift that required physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation, and we were determined to make the most of it. I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance of my parents, who instilled in me a love and reverence for the pilgrimage, and for the strength that Allah gave us to prepare.

In the next blog, I will talk about the Islamic preparation we did — how we focused on acquiring knowledge of the rites of Hajj, understanding their significance, and how we made sure we were spiritually ready for the journey.

May Allah grant us all the opportunity to perform Hajj with sincerity, and may He accept our efforts and Du’as. Ameen.

JazakAllah Khairan