What is preferable for the people of Makkah: repeating 'Umrah or circumambulating the Ka'bah?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: What is preferable for the people of Makkah, is it repeating 'Umrah or just circumambulating the House? And from where do they enter the state of ihram? It is not established that the people of Makkah leave Makkah to perform 'Umrah.

Answer:
It is better for them to remain in al-Masjid al-Haram and perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in al-Masjid al-Haram for tawaf (circumambulation) and prayer, than for them to go out and perform 'Umrah. This is only something that happened to 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she insisted upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) until he brought her an 'Umrah that she would perform from al-Tan'im. As for the Companions, they did not do this; they did not leave Makkah to perform 'Umrah. Remaining in Makkah is better. We do not say that it is not permissible, but we say that remaining in Makkah in al-Masjid al-Haram is better. Yes.