'Umrah in Ramadan and the Sacred Months

Question:
Shaykh Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) informed us that he said: The best 'Umrah is in the sacred months, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed 'Umrah in them. And Allah does not permit His Prophet except to do the best of things. As for the hadith regarding 'Umrah in Ramadan, know that the evidence we have is specific to one of the female Companions only, and it is not for the rest of the Ummah. Is this correct, or is it a matter of detail? May Allah preserve you.

Answer:
Yes, this is correct. It is found in Ibn al-Qayyim's *Zad al-Ma'ad*. It is found in *Zad al-Ma'ad*; the meaning of this statement is exactly what is in *Zad al-Ma'ad*. Its origin is from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in his *Fatawa*. They say that the best thing is to do what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did. He did not perform 'Umrah in Ramadan, but rather in the sacred months. All of the Messenger's (peace and blessings be upon him) 'Umrahs were in Dhul-Qa'dah, except for the 'Umrah of al-Ji'ranah, which was in Shawwal when he was coming from the Hawazin after the Battle of Hunayn. There is no doubt that Allah does not choose for His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) except the best. The hadith about 'Umrah in Ramadan was said by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to a woman who had missed Hajj, and it is a specific case. They hold that it is specific to this woman, even though many young people do not accept this answer. Allah knows best. They said this. Allah knows best. I am directing you to their words, and they are scholars and imams, meaning they have understanding. Yes.