USA Hajj Guide

Questions that will help!

What Is Hajj?

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam.

Can any Muslim attend the Hajj?

Yes, any Muslim can attend the Hajj if certain conditions are met.

What are the conditions to be met before a Muslim attend the Hajj?

The Muslim must be:

1) Sane (Normal State of Mind)

2) Physically able

3) A man must be financially able (meaning he must have the finances for his trip and leave enough money for his family until his return).

4) In the case of a woman, she must be accompanied by a Mahram (A Mahram is someone who a woman is forbidden to marry according to Islamic Shariah). See the question below regarding women.

Where is the Hajj performed?

The Hajj is performed in and around the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

How can someone from the USA attend the Hajj?

Anyone desirous of making the Hajj must contact a Hajj Provider / Group that have good experience in the Hajj Industry.

How is the application processed?

After making contact with the Hajj Group and you agree to accept their services, the next step is to register with that group and make a deposit. This is how most of the Hajj Groups process their applicants.

Finally, you will have to send your passport , greencard (if you are not a citizen of the USA) or travel document with the Saudi Visa Application Form. The group organizers will then submit the documents for the Hajj Visa.

What are the conditions for someone from the USA to get a Hajj Visa?

1) Valid Passport (US or other)

2) Valid Greencard (If you are not a US Citizen)

3) Valid “Travel Document” issued by Homeland Security.

4) Any visa that permits someone to work or study in the USA (See next question)

5) Copy of Marriage Certificate for couples travelling together (Islamic or otherwise)

6) Copy of Shahadah Letter for Muslim converts

7) Original Meningitis Vaccination Record (ACYW 135)

8) Three / Four passport size pictures for visa application

What type of “Non-Residence Visa” would permit someone to go to the Hajj from the USA?

H1B, H-3, H-4, L-1, F-1, J-1, M-1, R-1

What are the chances of a visa being denied?

Very small. As long as all requirements are met, there is no reason why a visa should be denied.

After being issued with a Hajj Visa, can someone travel to another country and then enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by himself and not with the group?

Yes.

Can someone get a visa to go to the Hajj without a Hajj group?

No. It is against the law of the Saudi Authorities.

Are all Hajj groups in the USA authorized by the Saudi Government?

No. Authorized agents and sub-agents work together under the authorized agent’s name.

Can someone go to the Hajj with a group that is not an Authorized Hajj Agent?

Yes.

Point to note:

The Ministry of Hajj has suspended issuing new licenses indefinitely. This means that smaller companies have no choice but to join forces with those agents who have been Licensed by the Ministry of Hajj. Many of these small, unlicensed agents, have good experience and can give a better service than the “Authorized Agents”.

How can someone know which group is providing good services?

· Examine their spiritual capabilities because you are looking to be rewarded with an “Accepted Hajj”. Choose a group that acts according to Qu’raan and Sunnah.

· Do a survey with people who went to Hajj before. Find out about their experiences with the company they travelled with.

· Check out what services the company is offering and see if it fits your budget. Be careful not to choose companies that go too early into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because of unfriendly environmental conditions.

· The big travel agencies sometimes try to manipulate the industry and make a name for themselves. Other smaller agencies will spend more time and effort to make your Hajj successful.

· Ask about the size of the group. Small companies will have the advantage of more control over their group and more co-ordination in keeping the group together. Chances of getting lost and disoriented is very minimal.

· The company’s honesty in providing information is very important.

· The company’s approach in dealing with you is also very important.

Regarding women, is there an age limit that entitles them to travel alone for the Hajj?

Yes. The Saudi Authorities allow a woman over the age of 45 to travel alone with a group but with a notarized “No-Objection Letter” from a Mahram.

A married or single woman under the age of 45 would not be issued with a visa unless she is accompanied by a Mahram. This law is applied even if she is travelling with a group.

Some companies/groups have good and bad assessments from people who travelled with them. Why would some people find the same company to be a good and others find it to be unpleasant. Please comment?

A very disturbing issue is that many companies give a good projection at the material aspect of the journey and do not focus on their spiritual aspect. This can become a disappointment for many who don’t know much about Shariah Laws. Some groups do enforce the Islamic Law when others are lenient with it. It is also important to check the credibility of the people who is organizing the program as well as their Islamic beliefs.

Does Arabic or Urdu make a difference in Choosing a group?

No. Most groups have Arabic/English speaking scholars or Urdu / English speaking scholars. English is commonly used within the American groups. Almost all of the American groups have mixed cultures so those who are hampered by English will be able to communicate with someone from the group.

Is a Scholar really necessary to accompany the Group?

Yes, especially a scholar who is reputable and acts according to Qur’aan and Sunnah or as close as possible to Shariah rulings. There are many Fiqh issues arising year after year and a scholar who updates himself constantly will benefit the group.

Is there any group in the USA that might be acting closest to Qur’aan and Sunnah?

Yes. A group called “HAJJUSA of New York” which is accompanied by Sheik Muhammad Adly who is a recognized scholar and is an active Da’ee in the USA.

The group’s website is www.hajjusa.com

The group’s toll-free number is: 1(866) 857-7875


	Questions that will help! What Is Hajj? Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Can any Muslim attend the Hajj? Yes, any Muslim can attend the Hajj if certain conditions are met. What are the conditions to be met before a Muslim attend the Hajj? *The Muslim must be:* 1) Sane (Normal State of Mind) 2) Physically able 3) A man must be financially able (meaning he must have the finances for his trip and leave enough money for his family until his return). 4) In the case of a woman, she must be accompanied by a Mahram (A Mahram is someone who a woman is forbidden to marry according to Islamic Shariah). See the question below regarding women. Where is the Hajj performed? The Hajj is performed in and around the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. How can someone from the USA attend the Hajj? Anyone desirous of making the Hajj must contact a Hajj Provider / Group that have good experience in the Hajj Industry. How is the application processed? After making contact with the Hajj Group and you agree to accept their services, the next step is to register with that group and make a deposit. This is how most of the Hajj Groups process their applicants. Finally, you will have to send your passport , greencard (if you are not a citizen of the USA) or travel document with the Saudi Visa Application Form. The group organizers will then submit the documents for the Hajj Visa. What are the conditions for someone from the USA to get a Hajj Visa? 1) Valid Passport (US or other) 2) Valid Greencard (If you are not a US Citizen) 3) Valid “Travel Document” issued by Homeland Security. 4) Any visa that permits someone to work or study in the USA (See next question) 5) Copy of Marriage Certificate for couples travelling together (Islamic or otherwise) 6) Copy of Shahadah Letter for Muslim converts 7) Original Meningitis Vaccination Record (ACYW 135) 8) Three / Four passport size pictures for visa application What type of “Non-Residence Visa” would permit someone to go to the Hajj from the USA? H1B, H-3, H-4, L-1, F-1, J-1, M-1, R-1 What are the chances of a visa being denied? Very small. As long as all requirements are met, there is no reason why a visa should be denied. After being issued with a Hajj Visa, can someone travel to another country and then enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by himself and not with the group? Yes. Can someone get a visa to go to the Hajj without a Hajj group? No. It is against the law of the Saudi Authorities. Are all Hajj groups in the USA authorized by the Saudi Government? No. Authorized agents and sub-agents work together under the authorized agent’s name. Can someone go to the Hajj with a group that is not an Authorized Hajj Agent? Yes. *Point to note:* The Ministry of Hajj has suspended issuing new licenses indefinitely. This means that smaller companies have no choice but to join forces with those agents who have been Licensed by the Ministry of Hajj. Many of these small, unlicensed agents, have good experience and can give a better service than the “Authorized Agents”. How can someone know which group is providing good services? · Examine their spiritual capabilities because you are looking to be rewarded with an “Accepted Hajj”. Choose a group that acts according to Qu’raan and Sunnah. · Do a survey with people who went to Hajj before. Find out about their experiences with the company they travelled with. · Check out what services the company is offering and see if it fits your budget. Be careful not to choose companies that go too early into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because of unfriendly environmental conditions. · The big travel agencies sometimes try to manipulate the industry and make a name for themselves. Other smaller agencies will spend more time and effort to make your Hajj successful. · Ask about the size of the group. Small companies will have the advantage of more control over their group and more co-ordination in keeping the group together. Chances of getting lost and disoriented is very minimal. · The company’s honesty in providing information is very important. · The company’s approach in dealing with you is also very important. Regarding women, is there an age limit that entitles them to travel alone for the Hajj? Yes. The Saudi Authorities allow a woman over the age of 45 to travel alone with a group but with a notarized “No-Objection Letter” from a Mahram. A married or single woman under the age of 45 would not be issued with a visa unless she is accompanied by a Mahram. This law is applied even if she is travelling with a group. Some companies/groups have good and bad assessments from people who travelled with them. Why would some people find the same company to be a good and others find it to be unpleasant. Please comment? A very disturbing issue is that many companies give a good projection at the material aspect of the journey and do not focus on their spiritual aspect. This can become a disappointment for many who don’t know much about Shariah Laws. Some groups do enforce the Islamic Law when others are lenient with it. It is also important to check the credibility of the people who is organizing the program as well as their Islamic beliefs. Does Arabic or Urdu make a difference in Choosing a group? No. Most groups have Arabic/English speaking scholars or Urdu / English speaking scholars. English is commonly used within the American groups. Almost all of the American groups have mixed cultures so those who are hampered by English will be able to communicate with someone from the group. Is a Scholar really necessary to accompany the Group? Yes, especially a scholar who is reputable and acts according to Qur’aan and Sunnah or as close as possible to Shariah rulings. There are many Fiqh issues arising year after year and a scholar who updates himself constantly will benefit the group. Is there any group in the USA that might be acting closest to Qur’aan and Sunnah? Yes. A group called “HAJJUSA of New York” which is accompanied by Sheik Muhammad Adly who is a recognized scholar and is an active Da’ee in the USA. The group’s website is www.hajjusa.com The group’s toll-free number is: 1(866) 857-7875