The Best of the Modes of Pilgrimage Is Tamattuʿ
His statement: “The best of the modes of pilgrimage is tamattuʿ (performing umrah followed by Hajj in the same journey).” (1)
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, informs us that there are several modes of pilgrimage, since “modes” is plural, and the minimum number denoted by a plural is three. Thus, there are three modes: tamattuʿ, ifrād (Hajj alone), and qirān (combining Hajj and umrah). This is because a person either enters ihram for umrah alone, for Hajj alone, or for both together; there is no fourth possibility. This is why the modes of pilgrimage are confined to these three.
If he enters ihram for umrah alone, he is performing tamattuʿ, subject to the conditions that will be mentioned. If he enters ihram for Hajj alone, he is performing ifrād; and if he enters ihram for both of them together, he is performing qirān.
Evidence that the modes of pilgrimage fall into these categories is the hadith of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: “We performed Hajj with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Some of us entered ihram for Hajj, some entered ihram for umrah, and some entered ihram for both Hajj and umrah; while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, entered ihram for Hajj.” (2)
Her words, “for Hajj,” are understood to mean Hajj with respect to its actions, not with respect to its rulings, for he, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, was performing qirān.
It was also said that he entered ihram for Hajj first and then added umrah to it. We shall mention this, if Allah Most High wills, in the discussion of the manner of performing qirān.
His statement: “The best of the modes of pilgrimage is tamattuʿ.” The evidence for this is as follows:
First: The Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, instructed his Companions, once they had completed tawaf and saʿi, to exit ihram and make it an umrah, except those who had brought sacrificial animals with them. Those who had brought sacrificial animals during that pilgrimage were few. Moreover, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, emphatically commanded his Companions when he had completed the saʿi, saying: “Whoever has not brought a sacrificial animal…”