Hajj is obligatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able, of sound mind, and have reached the age of maturity. Those who meet these conditions should perform Hajj without delay when possible.

Ifrad Hajj: Performing Hajj alone without Umrah during the Hajj season.
Tamattu Hajj: Performing Umrah first during the Hajj season, then coming out of ihram before performing Hajj with a new ihram.
Qiran Hajj: Performing both Umrah and Hajj with a single ihram and intention during the Hajj season.

Those who cannot afford Hajj are not required to take on debt to perform it. However, if they do perform Hajj while in debt, it is valid. It is appropriate for those who can repay their debts later to borrow for Hajj.

If someone for whom Hajj is obligatory cannot perform it due to health issues or old age, they can send someone else to perform Hajj on their behalf.

While it is recommended as part of Hajj etiquette to ask for forgiveness from others before departing, it is not a requirement for the validity of Hajj.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's sake and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, will return (free from sin) as if they were born anew."

One prayer in the Prophet's Mosque is worth a thousand prayers elsewhere, except in Masjid al-Haram. However, praying 40 prayers is not mandatory, and the authenticity of narrations about this is debated.

The sanctity of Mecca belongs to the place itself, not its stones or soil. There is no religious basis for bringing stones or soil from the Hijaz region for blessing.

For obligatory Hajj, if a woman has a mahram and meets other conditions, her husband cannot prevent her from going. For Umrah, which is not obligatory, she needs her husband's permission even with a mahram.

Umrah can be performed at any time except during Arafah and the days of Eid al-Adha (the 5 days when Takbir at-Tashriq is recited). It is strongly discouraged to perform Umrah from the morning of Arafah until sunset of the 4th day of Eid.