Part 2: The Physical Challenge and Endurance of Hajj
One aspect of Hajj that is difficult to fully appreciate until one experience it personally is the physical endurance needed throughout the pilgrimage. Although modern facilities have improved considerably since my first Hajj in 2007, the journey still demands patience, resilience, and determination.
During our stay in Shisha, much of our daily routine involved walking. The Hajj rites themselves demanded significant physical endurance, especially in terms of the sheer amount of walking involved. During my three Umrahs, I performed Tawaf around the Kaaba seven times on each occasion, moving steadily with the flow of thousands of pilgrims circling in devotion. This was followed by Saie between Safa and Marwa, another extended walk filled with remembrance and patience amid the constant movement of the crowd. Beyond these rituals, however, the physical demands of Hajj extended far beyond the precincts of Masjidil Haram. There was a continuous rhythm of walking that shaped each day of the journey. From Shisha to Masjidil Haram, we had to travel by bus, only to be dropped some distance away due to traffic restrictions and crowd control measures. From there, we would walk approximately one and a half kilometres, before even beginning our acts of worship. After completing tawaf, prayers and saie, the return journey would begin again on foot before reaching the bus that would take us back to Shisha.
The experience in Mina during the days of Tashriq was even more physically demanding. Each day required walking long distances between Shisha and the tents in Mina, often under the intense Arabian sun while wearing simple sandals. The heat radiated from the ground, and the crowds moved slowly in waves, making every journey feel longer than the distance itself suggested. After a full day of rituals and movement, we would often return only after midnight, walking again in a state of deep fatigue, when the air was cooler, but the body was already exhausted.
These repeated journeys created a continuous cycle of movement — walking to worship, walking within worship, and walking after worship. Even the sacred acts of Tawaf and Saie became part of a much larger pattern of physical endurance that defined the entire pilgrimage. Tiredness had become a constant companion. My feet ached, my legs felt heavy, and I often found myself searching for energy reserves I did not know I had. Yet whenever I looked around, I saw elderly pilgrims, some much older than myself, persevering with remarkable determination and unwavering faith. Their resilience inspired me to continue.
Looking back, I realise that these physical challenges were an integral part of the Hajj experience. Every step taken under the hot sun, every circuit around the Kaaba, every journey between Safa and Marwa, and every walk to and from Mina became an act of worship. The physical exertion taught me patience, perseverance, and gratitude. It reminded me that meaningful spiritual growth often requires sacrifice and effort.
Subhanallah Walhamdulillah Wala illaha illallah Wallahu Akbar.
Wala Haula Wala Quwata Illah Billahil 'Aliyill'Azim
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