In my university days, I’d often doze off during Jumu’ah khutbahs in Hajj season. Not out of disrespect, but because the khutbahs mostly focused on rituals I couldn’t relate to,.Ihram, Tawaf, Mina. Hajj felt like a distant dream. Something reserved for the elderly, the financially stable, or the extremely pious. Not a struggling student barely scraping together transport fare, let alone a ticket to Makkah.

But subhanAllah, Allah had better plans for me.

By His mercy, I performed Hajj and umrah in my twenties, a time I never imagined it possible. And I’m sharing my journey with you today, especially for sisters who feel like Hajj or umrah might never happen for them. Whether you’re sitting this year out, unsure of when your turn will come, or you’re deep in Hajj prep mode and wondering what to expect—this is for you.

Finance Wasn’t the Only Hurdle: Hajj as a Young Mum

Years later, the challenge wasn’t money anymore. It was motherhood. I had two young children, one still breastfeeding, and no family I could leave them with. I desperately wanted to go with my husband, my mahram, but the logistics seemed impossible.

Still, we took the leap, we paid the fees, made du’a, and trusted in Allah’s plan.

We explored daycares in Makkah for the main Hajj days, but they were expensive and unfamiliar. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the kids with strangers they’d never met. I kept praying.

And subhanAllah, we were allowed to take the kids with us.

Would I recommend it? If you have another choice, honestly, no. Hajj and umrah with toddlers is incredibly tough. But I was just so deeply grateful to be answering my Rabb’s call. That journey, despite all its challenges, remains one of my life’s greatest blessings. May Allah never deny us its reward. Ameen.

What You’ll Find in This Post

This post is for every Muslim woman wondering how to prepare for Hajj or umrah, spiritually, mentally, and practically. You’ll find:

• What no one tells you about Hajj with children
  
• Packing tips that saved me (and what I wish I brought!)
  
• Emotional highs and lows—and how I kept going
  
• Duas and spiritual reflections that made the experience richer
  
• How to prepare your heart, not just your suitcase

Whether you’re planning to go for Hajj 2025, this year or keeping it in your long-term niyyah, I pray my reflections guide and uplift you.

1. Prepare Spiritually: Start with Strong Intentions & Du’a

This is very important, as it is so easy to focus so much on logistics that you forget that this is not just any ibadah, but a pillar of islam. Remind yourself why you’re going.Learn the steps and rites in hajj, memorize the talbiyah, duas and their meainings  beforehand. This drastically helps with concentration during these days, plus you may be too tired to read them on the go. Hajj is not just a journey of the body but of the heart, Make du’a early, for ease, acceptance, and the ability to complete your Hajj fully. 

Again it is an act of ibadah and every act of ibadah has to be done according to the Quran and Sunnah, hence having the right knowledge about the ways to perform this life changing ibadah is way more important than every other form of preparation. May Allah crown our efforts. Ameen Renew your niyyah daily. Remember:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), said

“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for.”

Bukhari & Muslim

Tips:
Don’t wait till you arrive to get spiritually ready.

• Learn the Hajj and umrah rituals in advance. Use YouTube, apps, or local classes.
• Install an app like Hajj and Umrah Companion to guide you on the go.
• Memorize or bookmark du’as for each ritual (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Arafah, etc.)
• Understand the rulings for women: menstruation during Hajj, ihram guidelines, tawaf without touching the Ka’bah, etc.

2. Documentation & Administrative Prep

• Valid passport and visa.
• COVID/vaccination certificates (if required).
• Photocopies of all documents (keep in separate bags).
• Hajj ID card/tag at all times.
• Mahram coordination, ensure you and your mahram are booked in the same group/hotel.
  

3. Facing the Heat, & Crowds  

Hajj is physically demanding. You’ll walk for miles, stand under the sun, and feel sore. But it’s also spiritually uplifting in ways you can’t explain. There were times I doubted if I could go on, but SubhanAllah, there’s a strength Allah places in you that rises to the occasion.

Tip:

Train physically before Hajj, walk daily, stay hydrated, and mentally prepare for the crowds. I have put together some hajj essentials for muslim women.

Packing Essentials for Muslim Women

Here’s a checklist you can tailor:

• loose, breathable abayas.
• Comfortable hijabs & niqabs (if you wear one): My personal preference was instant hijabs as this meant i didn’t have to try to make pins stay in place and could easily renew my wudu several times. However it depends on you.
• Unscented toiletries (Hajj-approved soap, deodorant, wipes, lotion).
• Travel-size Qur’an, notebook, du’a book. It is important to make the best of every minute of these blessed days, and having a handy Quran will help achieve that.
• Portable bidet bottle & sanitary pads (especially if you expect your period).
• Power bank, adapter, extra phone charger. 
• Lightweight crossbody bag/fanny pack.
• Sunglasses, slippers, flip-flops, and walking shoes.
• Reusable water bottle + snacks for energy (dates, nuts, energy bars).
• Medications: pain relievers, motion sickness pills, vitamins, ORS.
• First-aid kit (plasters, cotton wool, antiseptic cream).

Download my Free Printable Hajj and Umrah Packing Checklist for Women & Moms

Traveling with Kids?

• Compact stroller or carrier.
• Baby wipes, diapers, baby food/formula.
• Lightweight prayer mat.
• Noise-cancelling headphones (for naps in noisy areas).
• Familiar toys/comfort items.

– Clothing Tips

• Dress for comfort, not fashion.
• Choose dark colors that don’t stain easily.
• Pack under-abayas and sleepwear.
• Use cotton inner caps or hijab magnets for secure scarf placement.
  

– Health & Fitness Tips

• Walk 20–30 minutes daily weeks before departure.
• Stay hydrated daily—even before your trip.
• Practice deep breathing and grounding exercises (helpful in crowded or overwhelming spaces).
• Pack first aid medications, pain relief patches or cooling towels for Mina/Arafah heat

During the Journey

• Stick with your group, if you must separate, agree on a common place to meet, and ensure you are with a powered phone. I walked several hours under very hot sun  search of my husband when we missed each other. He had helped carry my bag which had my phone in, and thiswas a very costly mistake. Have a phone with yo always, and only separate if yo absolutely have to, the crowd is a lot and its very common and easy to lose yor way.
• Be ready for delays and discomfort; it’s part of the process. Your patience will be tested, always try to remember Allah at this moment and be conscious of little mishaps, arguements, here and there that can decrease your rewards. Even when something annoys you, let it go for Allah’s sake and focus on your goal.
• Sleep whenever possible.
• Carry a small umbrella or hat for shade during outdoor rituals.
• Label your bags clearly (Arabic & English if possible). Again this will help if yo misplace them.
• Avoid excess phone usage, stay present, every minte counts. Instead, read quran, bring a notebook for daily reflections or write du’as for each Hajj location.

8. Managing Menstruation During Hajj

One of the biggest concerns for sisters. Here’s how to manage:

• Speak with your doctor about delaying menstruation using safe pills.

What I Wish I Knew Before Hajj

• Don’t assume your kids can adapt easily to the environment. The noise, weather, and crowd can overwhelm them.
  
• Don’t overpack. Instead, light abayas, unscented toiletries, painkillers, and power banks are lifesavers.
  
• Be ready for delays and discomfort—it’s part of the process. Your patience will be tested, and that’s part of your purification.
  

Must-Have:
Download my Free Hajj and Umrah Packing Checklist for Muslim Women.

Final Advice for Sisters Preparing for Hajj

• Make intentional du’a every day from now, ask Allah to make it easy, accepted, and transformative.
• Try not to fixate on being “perfect.” Focus instead on presence, being present in each ritual, in each du’a, in each step.
• Don’t compare your Hajj to others. Your journey is yours alone.
  

If You’re Not Going for Hajj This Year

Don’t feel left out. There’s so much reward in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fast, give sadaqah, make abundant dhikr, and remember: the reward for sincere intention is from Allah. Tawakkul is everything. From affording the trip to managing with children, nothing was in my hands, but Allah made it possible.Your du’a will be answered in ways you never expected, just like mine. 

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