Itimaar

Hajj Guide

Plan Your Tour

Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Any specific requests or comments

How Often Muslims Should Perform Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and a spiritually profound obligation upon every Muslim who is physically, financially, and mentally able. It is one of the highest acts of worship and becomes obligatory when its conditions are met.

A common question among pilgrims is whether Hajj should be performed once in a lifetime or multiple times. Islam provides a clear answer—while Hajj is obligatory once, performing it more than once is voluntary and subject to broader ethical, social, and practical considerations.

Is Hajj Obligatory More Than Once?

The sacred journey of Hajj is obligatory on the believers once in a lifetime. The obligation of Hajj is fulfilled by performing it once, provided the pilgrim meets all the required conditions.

The Qu’ran says:

“And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who are able to find a way thereto.”
(Surah Aal-Imran 3:97)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clarified this further. When asked whether Hajj is required every year, he remained silent and then said:

“If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able to do it.”
(Muslim)

This hadith clearly confirms that Hajj is fard only once in a lifetime.

Can Muslims Perform Hajj More Than Once

Performing another Hajj after the obligatory Hajj is considered voluntary (nafl), but it is permissible and highly rewarded. But it is not required, and its virtue must be understood in the context of:

Current circumstances
Availability of Hajj quotas
Needs of other Muslims

Many scholars emphasise that while repeating Hajj is allowed, the priority should be given to first-time pilgrims, especially in today’s context of limited Hajj permits and quotas.

In recent years, Saudi authorities have also encouraged:

Limiting repeat Hajj
Giving preference to Muslims who have never performed Hajj

Is Repeating Hajj Better Than Other Good Deeds

According to many scholars, if a muslim has performed and fulfilled the obligatory Hajj, then the person must engage in other acts of worship that also carry greater benefits.

Supporting poor Muslims
Sponsoring someone else’s first Hajj
Giving charity
Seeking beneficial knowledge
Caring for parents and family
Serving the community

One should help and support other people to perform Hajj rather than repeating it for oneself.

Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage which is not measured by how many times one performs it, but by how deeply it transforms the pilgrim. A single, sincere Hajj accepted by Allah is better than many performed without purpose, humility, or awareness of others.