‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both—would instruct them to perform tamattu‘. They would say to him, “Your father forbade it (1).” He would reply, “My father did not mean what you claim.” When they persisted, he would say, “Who has a greater right to be followed: the Messenger of Allah (2)—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—or ‘Umar? (3)”

It is also (4) reliably reported that ‘Umar said, “If I were to perform Hajj, I would perform tamattu‘; if I were to perform Hajj, I would perform tamattu‘ (5).” ‘Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—merely intended to instruct them to do what was preferable (6). Because tamattu‘ was easy, people had ceased performing ‘umrah (7) outside the months of Hajj. He therefore wanted to ensure that the House would not remain deserted throughout the year. If they performed Hajj alone, they would then perform ‘umrah during the rest of the year. Performing ‘umrah outside the months of Hajj, together with performing Hajj during its months, is superior to tamattu‘ by agreement of the four jurists and others.

Likewise (8), ‘Umar and ‘Alī—may Allah be pleased with them both—said concerning the words of the Exalted:

“Complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah.”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 96] (9)

They said, “Completing them means entering the state of ihrām for both from the dwelling of