SHAH ALAM - It was supposed to be the journey of a lifetime earned through years of patience, sacrifice and quiet, faithful saving.
For many elderly Malaysians, performing haj was never a question of if, but when. They registered early with Tabung Haji (TH), deposited what they could every month and trusted that, eventually, their turn to answer the call to Makkah would come.
But for many, that moment may now be slipping away. With Saudi Arabia introducing stricter health requirements for pilgrims beginning in the 1447H/2026 season, a painful reality is emerging: thousands of Malaysians who spent decades waiting for haj may now face the possibility of being medically unfit by the time their turn arrives.
The issue exposes a growing structural tension between Malaysia’s ageing haj queue and increasingly stringent health eligibility rules. For decades, haj preparation in Malaysia has largely revolved around savings discipline and queue management.
Financial readiness was seen as the primary hurdle. But the new Saudi framework shifts the equation significantly by placing far greater emphasis on medical fitness as a formal condition for visa approval.
The implications are especially severe for Malaysia, where many depositors only receive haj allocations in their 60s or 70s after waiting years in the queue.
Financial planners contacted by Sinar Daily said while performing haj before the age of 40 remains financially and practically challenging for many Malaysians, it is not only possible but increasingly advisable given current cost pressures and stricter health requirements.
Ultimately, they said, the determining factor is not income alone, but whether individuals are willing to plan early, remain disciplined and consistently prioritise the pilgrimage over time.
Licensed financial planner Adli Ishak believes performing haj at a younger age is achievable if it is treated as a structured financial priority rather than a distant goal reserved for later life.
“Many Malaysians traditionally postpone haj until their 50s or retirement years due to major commitments such as buying a house, getting married and raising children, while some also depend on Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals later in life.
“Younger Malaysians should begin viewing haj as both a long-term spiritual and financial priority before the age of 40,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
According to Adli, spreading savings over a longer period significantly reduces monthly financial pressure.
Using the estimated RM23,500 Muassasah haj cost for the M40 group, he illustrated that early planning makes the goal manageable:
- Starting at age 20: Around RM98/month over 20 years
- Starting at age 25: Around RM130/month over 15 years
- Starting at age 30: Around RM195/month over 10 years
He pointed out that these amounts are often comparable to discretionary spending such as cafe visits or subscription services, suggesting that the challenge is less about income and more about financial prioritisation.
“Younger savers also benefit from compounding TH dividends and a longer savings horizon, which can further ease financial pressure over time. Consistent saving habits are more important than making large lump-sum contributions.
“Early haj registration and automated monthly deductions are practical first steps; young adults should treat hajsavings as a fixed and non-negotiable monthly commitment,” he added.
Meanwhile, licensed financial planner Rafiq Hidayat Mohd Ramli said performing haj at a younger age remains a realistic goal for middle-income earners.
But it is only realistic with careful planning, discipline and clear financial priorities.
“Performing haj earlier in life allows individuals to undertake the pilgrimage with better health, stamina and physical readiness, given the demanding nature of the journey.
“Starting preparations early also helps spread the financial burden over a longer period, making it more manageable over time,” he told Sinar Daily.
Both financial planners agree that early action is essential. Recommended steps include:
- Early registration with TH (minimum RM1,300 deposit)
- Automated monthly savings (RM50–RM200 range)
- Allocating bonuses and windfalls to Hajj funds
- Avoiding unnecessary high-interest debt
- Managing lifestyle inflation carefully
They also emphasised the need for financial education to incorporate long-term spiritual goals alongside conventional financial literacy.
According to both experts, the larger obstacle is cultural rather than purely financial. Haj is still widely viewed as a milestone reserved for later life rather than a goal to plan for early.
Adli said this mindset needs to evolve, with haj seen as a foundational religious responsibility that can ideally be fulfilled during one’s healthiest and most physically capable years.
Rafiq echoed the same sentiment, stressing that disciplined saving habits, early preparation and consistent prioritisation are key to making the aspiration of performing haj before 40 achievable.
While performing haj before 40 remains financially and practically challenging for many Malaysians, financial planners argue it is not only possible but increasingly advisable under current cost and health realities.
The determining factors are less about income alone and more about discipline, early planning and consistent saving behaviour.
Ultimately, the question is not only whether young Malaysians can afford haj earlier, but whether they are willing to prioritise it early enough for it to become achievable.