As Hari Raya 'Aidiladha approaches, reflections on Hajj often appear across social media. While we trust in His timing, stories of those who have been chosen can quietly stir a sense of longing and hope: “When will our turn come?”

In truth, Hajj is a profoundly special invitation. Performing Hajj is not merely a physical journey, but the fulfilment of a divine calling through a deeply spiritual and life-changing experience that leaves a lasting impression for a lifetime.

In Islam, the obligation of Hajj is guided by the concept of istito’ah, which refers to one’s ability in terms of finances, health, safety, as well as visa and quota availability. For this reason, early preparation is an important part of fulfilling this responsibility.

For those who dream of setting foot in the Holy Land, here are a few practical steps to start today:

 

Register for Hajj as early as possible

Start by registering your Hajj with Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) as early as possible. With the current waiting period being long, early registration is an important first step.

During this period, you can also use the time to build your savings consistently as part of your long-term preparation to cover the costs of performing Hajj.

Did you know that Hajj registration can also be made without a cash deposit? You may submit your EPF statement to TH as proof of savings to qualify for Hajj registration, subject to terms and conditions.

Switch to Simpanan Shariah

Ensure your finances are managed in accordance with Shariah principles. You can switch to Shariah Savings via the KWSP i-Akaun app to ensure that dividends used towards your Hajj journey is free from elements of riba, for greater peace of mind and blessings in your worship.

Read also: Make Simpanan Shariah Part of Your Retirement Planning Choice

Take care of your health from an early stage

Performing Hajj requires strong physical endurance and mental resilience, especially due to the hot and demanding climate of the Holy Land. For this reason, it is helpful to adopt a healthy lifestyle through activities such as walking, cardio, and maintaining a balanced diet, while also learning to manage emotions in challenging situations.

Health screenings conducted by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) are now more thorough in ensuring pilgrims are well prepared both physically and mentally. Meeting these requirements is an important part of Hajj preparation.

Make it a habit to undergo regular health check-ups, maintain emotional wellbeing, and receive the required vaccinations, such as the meningococcal vaccine, before departing for the Holy Land.

Equip yourself with knowledge of Hajj rituals

Knowledge is key to performing Hajj correctly. Make use of your younger years to attend the Kursus Asas Haji and strengthen your understanding through fardhu ain classes, trusted reading materials, or reliable digital resources.

By learning the basics of Hajj rituals (manasik haji), you will be better prepared in both mind and heart to face the journey with calmness and confidence, including managing crowds and adapting to different conditions in the Holy Land.

Spiritual cleansing: wealth, debts, and forgiveness

Before setting off for the Holy Land, it is important to put your worldly affairs in order:

 

Consider Takaful protection through i-Lindung

Health and personal protection are important throughout your Hajj savings journey. You may use savings from your Akaun Sejahtera to purchase affordable life and critical illness protection plans via the i-Lindung platform, helping to safeguard yourself and your family in the event of any unexpected circumstances.

Read also: 5 Reasons Why You Need Health Insurance

Make your EPF nomination

Ensure your EPF nomination is always up to date. This is more than an administrative step; it is a form of responsibility and care for your loved ones, ensuring their wellbeing is protected should anything happen to you.

Today, EPF nomination registration or updates no longer require a counter visit. You can complete everything easily online via the KWSP i-Akaun app. For more details, you may refer to the e-KYC nomination Easy Guide.

Plan your Hajj Withdrawal

EPF provides a Hajj Withdrawal facility as an additional option if your savings in Tabung Haji are still insufficient.

Once you receive your Hajj offer letter from Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), you may apply to withdraw up to RM10,000 from your Akaun Sejahtera to help cover the remaining cost of the Muassasah Hajj payment.

If you already have sufficient savings in Tabung Haji, you are encouraged to retain your EPF savings so your retirement funds can continue to grow through annual dividends.

Striving for a Hajj Mabrur through early preparation

Every pilgrim dreams of returning home with Hajj mabrur—a Hajj accepted by Allah SWT. Its impact is often reflected through better character, behaviour, and a more meaningful way of life after returning home.

In conjunction with Hari Raya ‘Aidiladha, let us turn our intention into preparation, as sincere aspirations should not be delayed.

Start today by managing your savings, taking care of your health, equipping yourself with knowledge, and increasing your supplications. May every small effort become a means for us to be invited to the Holy Land when the time comes.