First things first:

Make your intention to Allah to perform the Hajj. This is the single most important step in preparing for Hajj. Even if you think you can’t afford to go or don’t have the time or ability, if you are sincere in your intention and Allah wills you to go, you will go…

Figure out when Hajj will be

Now that you’ve made the intention, you should start planning. You’ll need to know the approximate dates so that you can work your school, work, children, etc. around the Hajj time. Ideally, you should start your planning for Hajj a full year in advance, that way you can best take advantage of all the people you know who just finished performing their Hajj.

Estimate how much it will cost

Look at last year’s Hajj packages and estimate the cost. There are many companies and many price levels to choose from. Find something that fits your budget and requirements. You will also need to factor in costs for the other parts of Hajj like the sacrifice, fees, internal US flights, etc. Then add in the extras like gifts, charity, souvenirs, food, etc. We’ll list some of these out and some sample costs as well.

Start Saving Money

If the Hajj cost will be $10,000 and you have 10 months to go, then you’d better start saving $1,000 a month. Again, the only way you’ll get to do your Hajj is with Allah’s permission, so even if you don’t have the money at the beginning, if He wills it, you will have the money in time. If it is not to be, then just be thankful that you’ve been given more time to save Insha’Allah.

Determine who you’ll be going with

Not the Hajj company, but the family, friends, Masjid group that you plan on travelling with. This is a very important decision as it will affect the way you perform Hajj. Will you be alone, with a wife or husband, are you a single lady and have no Mahrem, will you be helping your parents? This will determine what type of room you need, how fast you’ll be able to move around, the total cost and many, many other aspects of your Hajj.

Chose a Hajj company

Many people believe this is an extremely important choice. I disagree. This is a journey of faith and at the end of the day the level of comfort, the food we eat, the sights we see and the blessings we receive all come from Allah. People who have gone with the most expensive package with the “best” Hajj company have felt loved every second of it and others have been horrified. The same goes for every company that promises to help you perform the Hajj. My advice is to choose a reputable company that someone you know and trust has gone with in the past. Narrow your selections done to a couple of companies and then compare the packages for amenities, pricing, dates, scholars, etc.