Hajj steps 4: in Mekkah

You have reached Mekkah, and it is time to perform Umrah of Hajj (if you are performing tamattu' Hajj).

Our hotel was about 20mn drive from Mekkah, at the limits of Mina. Our group provided us with mini-bus transports that were going back and forth at regular timing. The pick up point was agreed before hand, right before dropping us in Mekkah, then we went on for the Umrah.
Our Umrah was performed at night, we reached the door # 1 by azan of Maghrib, we were done 2 hrs later.

Al hamdulil'Allah we managed to perform the tawaf in the ground level.

Tawaf - 5th Zul Hijjah . Do not be impressed by the crowd and just be a drop in the Ocean

Outside the Haram at night

Some useful data:
According to the crowd, you should try to make the Tawaf on the ground floor. Just do not get impressed by the crowd and be part of the crowd, a drop in the ocean. Follow the human flow/current. Allah Did not send you there to be scared, so just relax, enjoy these sublime moments, thank Allah to have brought you there and make your Umrah with the most perfection that you can.
If it gets really crowdy due to some undisciplined brothers & sisters, then you have the choice to go to the 2nd or 3rd floor. We actually made our Tawaf of arrival on the ground level, but then, we made the Tawaf Ifadah on the Ground + 3rd level (due to severe crowd).

One Tawaf at ground level (sahan) = 125m, 5mn/turn (15mn/turn during Ifadah)
One Tawaf at 2nd or 3rd level = 600m (12-15mn/turn)
One saii (leg) between Safah & Marwah = 370m
The leg Safah-Marwah & return = 740m (15-20mn time)
Note: the above figures are approximate for the time duration of course as it will depend on your physical condition and the real crowd you will face as it is not the same throughout the day

Tawaf ground level - Perimeter data

Tawaf 3rd floor.

How to remember how many turns you have done?:
Each person has a method to remember how many turns he/she has done. Mine is to rely onto the watch, I know that it takes about 5mn for one turn, thus I notice the time I started, then work from there. It will depend on each individual, some people have a small counter, others use a knot etc. It must be noted that the tawaf on the ground level might be very difficult on the Ifadah day, so going on the 2nd or 3rd level will be longer in distance,but it will be faster in time and you will be more relaxed to make your duas.
Once you finish the 7 tawafs, pray the 2 rakaat behind maqam Ibrahim, drink from Zamzam water while making lots of duas, then head to Safah to start the saii..

Saii between Safah-Marwah :

Safah- Marwah legs. Click for better view

At the end of the saii between Safah and Marwah, you would then exit the Haram via the door at the Marwa, where you would find hairdressers and shave your head.
Your Umrah has now been completed, and you will enjoy (hopefully) in Mekkah some time before the Hajj starts. Make a maximum prayers in the Haram Mosque due to the large rewards Allah Blessed this holy place, each salat is equivalent to 100,000 salat elsewhere...

Tawaf 2nd floor - Beginning and end spot marked by these green Neon lights

Just be one drop in this ocean and make tawakkul onto Allah

Whatever timing between5-7 dhul hijja, the place will just be very full just like here.

What about people with wheel chairs?:

If you have an elderly person with you, or if someone with you is too tired to continue walking, you will have to rent a wheel chair from the Haram (they are situated at the ground level close to the Safah doors).
You will find it cheaper if you rent the wheel chair from outside the Mosque than having to do it inside the Mosque. But there are just circumstances like I faced when my daughter aged 13 could not move anymore after 3 rounds of the tawaf Ifadhah on the Eid Day, and we had to find a wheel chair for her, so it was an experience for us.

Price for a wheel chair + one person to push you for (7 Tawafs + Saii between the Safah & Marwah) = 900 SR - 1200SR. We paid 650 SR because this is all we had in pockets and he agreed!. Of course these prices are not going to be fixed and you will probably hear any pricing, it will be up to you to negotiate with whomever Allah would have Put in your way at that moment.

Note that the wheel chairs are not allowed on the ground level, there is a facility corridor along the 2nd floor just for people with wheel chairs and it is very convenient (but they do not allow anyone else besides the person pushing the wheel chair & the person sitting on the wheel chair). If you are a group of 3 or more, you may then chose to go to the 3rd floor.

The person whom you would have rented to push your person is in business before all, He will then try to make the tawafs in as shortest time as possible and you will have trouble catching up with him. Agree on a place to meet with him at the end of the tawaf before starting the Safah & Marwah saii. 
It will be the same issue again for the Saii between Safah and Marwah, they (push-chair guys) are not going to spend long time for you or the person on the wheel chair to make the recommended duas, so insist that he must give you enough time to make the duas or you won't pay him.

Wheel chair corridor  along the esplanade on the 2nd floor.

Only one person pushing the wheel chairs will be allowed on the corridor.

Note on Naafil (additional) Tawaf:
Once you are done with your Umrah, you should leave the ground level for the people who are still coming and who need space to perform their Tawaf. I heard several lectures where Ulamah are against these additional Tawafs done during Hajj season, because it is impeding the way to the coming pilgrims and because it was not reported that the Prophet (S) made such tawaf during his hajj. So be respectful to the others and give them a chance to make their Umrah at the ground level, and do not be a cause of obstruction to the others.

Once you are done with your Umrah, leave the space to others, do not be a source of obstruction to others

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