Common Mistakes Pilgrims Make — And How to Avoid Them
Every Hajj season, well-meaning pilgrims make the same avoidable mistakes. Some are minor inconveniences. Others can seriously disrupt the experience or even invalidate parts of the pilgrimage.
6/13/20262 min read
Every Hajj season, well-meaning pilgrims make the same avoidable mistakes. Some are minor inconveniences. Others can seriously disrupt the experience or even invalidate parts of the pilgrimage.
Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.
1. Not Learning the Rituals Properly Beforehand
Many pilgrims arrive relying entirely on their group leader to tell them what to do, when. This works most of the time, but in large crowds, you can get separated. If you don't know the sequence of rituals yourself, a moment of separation can become very stressful.
Learn the steps before you go. Attend any preparatory seminars your Hajj operator offers. Read a brief, reliable Hajj guide.
2. Wearing New or Uncomfortable Shoes
This is one of the most common causes of physical suffering during Hajj. New shoes that haven't been broken in will blister your feet within a day. You will be walking on marble floors (which are smooth and slippery), outdoor stone paths, and sometimes gravel.
Wear the shoes you'll take on a long walk at home — multiple times — before you go.
3. Becoming Angry in the Crowd
The crowds during Hajj are unlike anything most people have experienced. Long queues, pushing, hot weather, fatigue — it tests patience. And the Quran explicitly says about Hajj: "...there is to be no obscenity, no wickedness, and no arguing."
If someone pushes you, let it go. If you're frustrated, make dua. The crowd is not your enemy; they are your brothers and sisters in the same act of worship.
4. Neglecting Health Preparation
People with chronic conditions — diabetes, heart disease, joint problems — sometimes conceal them from family or travel operators because they're afraid of being told they can't go. This can be dangerous.
See your doctor before Hajj. Make sure your medications are adequate and that your doctor has cleared you for the physical demands. Saudi medical teams are excellent, but prevention is far better.
5. Over-Spending on Shopping
Makkah and Madinah have extensive shopping areas near the Harams. It can be tempting to spend hours buying gifts, clothing, perfumes, and prayer items. Some pilgrims end up spending more time in shops than in the mosque.
Set a budget, make your list, and shop on specific days. Don't let shopping steal time you could spend in ibadah.
6. Forgetting to Make Dua
This sounds odd — who would forget to make dua on Hajj? But in the rush of rituals, logistics, and crowd management, many pilgrims complete the physical acts without making heartfelt personal dua.
The times when dua is most accepted — first sight of the Kaaba, on the plain of Arafat, between Safa and Marwa, at the end of Tawaf — come and go quickly. Come prepared. Write down your duas. Bring a list of names of people who asked you to pray for them.