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A complete حج preparation checklist covers five key areas: spiritual preparation (purify intention, seek forgiveness, study rituals), documentation (passport, visa, حج permit, vaccination records, travel insurance), financial (settle debts, arrange sacrifice payment, carry sufficient funds), health (medical checkup, vaccinations, pack medications, build physical stamina), and packing (احرام garments, comfortable walking shoes, personal items, offline phone apps). Begin preparation 3-6 months before departure.
Purify your intention (niyyah) — حج must be performed solely for Allah's sake. Seek forgiveness from anyone you have wronged and resolve disputes. Study the حج rituals thoroughly from reliable sources or with a qualified scholar. Increase voluntary worship: نمازs, fasting, قرآن recitation, and charity. Write your Islamic will (wasiyyah) and settle any debts or trusts.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Register with a licensed حج operator in your country and complete the visa application process. Obtain required vaccinations (meningitis ACWY is mandatory, COVID may be required). Arrange travel insurance that covers medical emergencies in Saudi Arabia. Make copies of all documents — carry them separately from originals.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Ensure your حج is funded entirely from halal (lawful) earnings — this is a condition for acceptance. Pay the حج package fee to your operator by the deadline. Arrange the sacrifice (hady) payment if performing Tamattu or Qiran. Calculate and pay any outstanding zakat. Carry sufficient spending money in Saudi Riyals or easily exchangeable currency (USD/EUR). Inform your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks.
Visit your doctor for a full medical checkup and discuss your حج travel plans. Get all required and مستحب vaccinations. If you have chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, asthma), get a medical clearance letter and sufficient medication supply for the entire trip plus extras. Begin a walking program — aim for 5-10 km daily to build stamina for the extensive walking during حج. Practice walking in the shoes you plan to wear.
Pack احرام garments (men: 2-3 sets of izar and rida; women: modest comfortable clothing). Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or sandals. Unscented toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant for use during احرام). All medications in original packaging with prescriptions. Sunscreen, umbrella, cooling towel. A small waist pouch or neck wallet for valuables. Phone charger and power bank. Downloaded offline content: احرامOS app with cached data, offline maps, offline قرآن app.
Confirm all travel arrangements and hotel bookings with your operator. Bid farewell to family and friends — it is sunnah to ask for their دعائیں. Settle any remaining financial obligations. Perform two rak'at of نماز and make دعا for a safe journey and accepted حج. Review the ritual sequence one final time. Set your phone with all offline content downloaded and tested. Leave a copy of your itinerary and ایمرجنسی contacts with family at home.