Indeed, many scholars of the Sunnah deem mut‘ah obligatory (1), as is reported from Ibn ‘Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both. This is also the position of the Zāhirīs, such as Ibn Hazm and others, because of the aforementioned (2) command of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to his Companions during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Since the scholars of the Sunnah unanimously agree that it is permissible (3), most regard it as recommended, and some deem it obligatory, it is clear that his claim that they introduced its prohibition is a lie against them.

As for what he stated about ‘Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—the answer is as follows:

First: Suppose that ‘Umar expressed an opinion on which other Companions and Successors disagreed with him. Indeed, ‘Imrān ibn Husayn—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “We practiced tamattu‘ during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the Quran was revealed concerning it (4). Then a man expressed whatever opinion he wished concerning it.” Both al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated it in their Sahīhs (5).

The scholars of the Sunnah unanimously agree that every person (6) may have his words (7) accepted