Hajj is generally required once in a Muslim’s lifetime for a person who is physically and financially able to perform it.
This obligation is associated with the fifth of Islam’s Five Pillars. Ability, often described by the Arabic concept of istita’ah, includes practical considerations such as health, financial means, and safe access to the pilgrimage.
Performing hajj more than once is permitted, and many Muslims undertake additional pilgrimages when circumstances allow. However, later pilgrimages are not normally an additional fulfillment of the basic lifetime obligation.
Hajj is distinct from umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, which may be performed at other times of the year and is not generally treated as the same single obligatory pilgrimage.