The Best of the Pilgrimage Rites

Question:
The questioner, Abu Mu'adh from Sudan, asks: Which is better for the obligatory Hajj? Because I have not performed Hajj yet, and I have the intention, if Allah wills, to perform it. I am asking about the types of Hajj, and whether the reward in them is the same?

Answer:
The reward in them is not the same. The most complete and best of them is tamattu' (combining 'Umrah and Hajj with a break between them). This is when you enter the state of ihram for 'Umrah in the months of Hajj, perform it, then exit the state of ihram from it. Then you enter the state of ihram for Hajj afterwards on the eighth day. And you slaughter a fidyah (ransom payment) if you are not a resident of Makkah from other than the people of the Sacred Mosque. This is tamattu', and it is the best of the types of Hajj. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered his Companions to convert their Hajj to 'Umrah, to make it 'Umrah, and then enter the state of ihram for Hajj afterwards. He wished to do that, but the market for the sacrificial animals prevented him from doing so. He said: "If I had known in advance what I know now, I would not have brought the sacrificial animals, and I would not have exited the state of ihram with you." Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh