Hajj is a religious journey or pilgrimage to Mecca. This is the holiest city in the Islamic faith, located in what is now Saudi Arabia. It is revered as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and where the Muslim holy book, the Qu’ran, was first revealed to him by Allah (SWT). The Great Mosque of Mecca in the centre of the city is the largest and the most significant mosque in Islam and contains the Kaaba, the structure that is held to be ‘The House of God’. It is Islam’s holiest site to which Muslims around the world face when praying.
Undertaking Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and every able Muslim is expected to perform Hajj once in their lifetime. While pilgrimages to Mecca happen throughout the year, Hajj has its own dedicated time of year, between the 7th and 12th days of Dhu al-Hijjah (literally ‘the month of Hajj’). For 2025, these dates are expected to correspond to June 14-19 in the Gregorian calendar.
Hajj is a visit to the cradle of Islam and some of the most sacred and significant sites (and sights) in the faith. Despite the relative ease of modern travel and accommodation, it remains a physical challenge. It is a shared experience of solidarity with millions of other Muslims from all around the world who come to Mecca at the same time, to perform the same rites with the same purpose. It is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.
And it is a spiritual experience – as well as an essential requirement of their faith, Muslims see Hajj as an opportunity and invitation from Allah (SWT) to visit his House and perform the most significant acts of worship. The trials, experiences, sights and times of Hajj offer time for intense reflection, meditation and prayer. Fulfilling Hajj will cleanse pilgrims of all their worldly sins.
It should be clear by now that Hajj is an experience and undertaking that cannot be done lightly. Like all journeys, preparation (in every sense) in advance will maximise the benefits and joys while minimising the challenges.
Hajj is a spiritual journey, an act of worship and a sublime experience. The spiritual benefits of Hajj will be maximised to you with the proper preparation and entering into Hajj in the right spiritual and mental state.
Like all acts of worship, Hajj must be entered into with pure and sincere intention. It is to be carried out purely in obedience to, and for the pleasure of, Allah (SWT). It is a time to reflect on your faith, atone for sins, develop your relationship with Allah (SWT) and provide a new start to the rest of your spiritual life. It isn’t a holiday or a tourist experience. It is not a status symbol.
Develop and maintain this mindset before and during your Hajj. Your time, effort and money are being invested for the sake of Allah (SWT) and no other reason or benefit. Maintain this connection to Allah (SWT) and the purpose of Hajj throughout, which will help you remain patient and calm during the inevitable challenges and trials, whether it’s tiredness, the walks in the heat or disruptions to your schedule.
1) The first part of your spiritual preparation should be to seek assistance from Allah (SWT). State your sincere intention to carry out Hajj and ask Him to allow you to fulfil your obligations and to maintain proper behaviour of a pilgrim.
2) The completion of Hajj cleanses pilgrims of their previous sins, but only if they show true repentance in both thoughts and deeds. You must declare your sins and repent for them before embarking on Hajj, make amends for them, give up any sinful behaviour in the present and resolve not to return to them.
3) You should depart on Hajj with a clear conscience and soul, both to maximise its spiritual benefits and so that you have no troubles weighing on your mind that will stop you focusing on the rituals and meaning of Hajj. Seek forgiveness from others to those you have harmed or hurt in any way, or spoken ill of. Resolve differences and strengthen weak bonds.
4) In the same spirit, you should make good any missed religious obligations, as part of proceeding to Hajj with resolve and pure intentions. Seek forgiveness for missed observances such as salah, zakat and Ramadan fasting, if you have any. Calculate missed zakat and pay what you owe. Resolve to do quada to make good any missed acts of worship or prayers.
5) No one on the Hajj should carry debts or other monetary obligations. Settle any outstanding obligations before you depart. If it is not possible to settle the outstanding debt, donate the relevant amount to a charity in the name of the creditor. If you carry debts, you must gain the creditor’s permission to perform Hajj.
Hajj is also intended to be a physical trial. In the past, even getting to Mecca would be an arduous journey, and today the rites of Hajj still require physical effort and endurance. Pilgrims can walk a total of between 25 and 45 miles (40-75km) during the five days of Hajj, combining the ritual walks and just travelling between the various Hajj locations. And other rites of the Hajj require pilgrims to stand in vigil for long periods of time, as well as the common long queues and lines at key points and facilities.
1) It is strongly recommended that pilgrims work on their fitness and endurance before undertaking Hajj. Walking regularly over increasing distances, building up to the typical daily distance on Hajj, in the weeks before you depart will put you in the best possible position to have a Hajj that is successful, fulfilling and challenging but not painful. If you’re used to a more sedentary modern lifestyle, develop a stretching routine to reduce aches and pains in your legs, back and shoulders.
2) The physical test of Hajj will be increased if you’re carrying some extra weight. Losing weight before Hajj not only helps with your fitness but is in keeping with the spiritual meaning of the pilgrimage, which is a retreat from worldly pleasures and excesses to focus on the essential and the spiritual. Eating healthily and in moderation will help your physical, mental and spiritual health.
3) With millions of people coming from around the world and living in close proximity, plus the fatigue caused by travel and the trials of Hajj itself, coughs, colds and other mild infections are extremely common. Make sure you’re fit and healthy before you start and boost your immunity – eat plenty of fruit and vegetables before you depart and try to avoid anyone with an illness that might flare up once you’re on Hajj.
4) As you’ll see, walking is a big part of Hajj. The correct footwear is essential to prevent blisters or swollen feet. Avoid buying new shoes for Hajj – you may find too late that they don’t fit or that they need to be ‘worn in’. The sacred state of Ihram requires men to have their ankles and the top of their feet uncovered. Soft flat sandals are ideal, and if you do not have a familiar pair that you already know to be comfortable, be sure to buy and wear in a new pair before you leave. Ideally, do any exercise or physical preparation before Hajj in your chosen footwear so you know it’s comfortable.
The cost of Hajj varies significantly depending on where you’re travelling from, how long you’re staying in Saudi Arabia each side of the days of the Hajj itself and how comfortable you’re wanting the experience to be – paying for a more expensive package won’t ease the experience of the Hajj rituals themselves, but will get a better hotel that is close to the Great Mosque and bus transport between the key Hajj locations. Many Muslim countries provide government aid or subsidy to make pilgrimage packages more affordable.
For Muslims undertaking Hajj from the UK, the current cost of a typical package is between £7500 and £10,000 per person. Packages from the USA can run from $15,000 to $20,000 per person. Pilgrims from the Middle East and other Muslim countries typically pay the equivalent of about $6000 per person for a state-subsidised package. It is possible to perform Hajj for less by travelling independently and forgoing more comfortable and convenient accommodation.
It is important to note that these estimates are highly variable, and costs depend heavily on the package type, country of origin and the year.
But, however it is done, and however much it costs, Hajj represents the savings of a lifetime for many Muslims.
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