The Ruling on Converting Hajj to 'Umrah and Shortening the Prayer at 'Arafah

The questioner:
And those who pray and say the salam, and those who enter the state of ihram for Hajj, is it commanded of them to exit the state of ihram?

The Shaykh:
He should make it an 'Umrah. He is commanded to exit the state of ihram. The one who performed Hajj as a combined Hajj and 'Umrah, or as a standalone Hajj, and does not have a sacrificial animal, is commanded to exit the state of ihram and make it an 'Umrah.

The questioner:
I stand and invoke the gift.

The Shaykh:
It becomes an 'Umrah. He made it an 'Umrah. He combined the Hajj and the 'Umrah, then he dissolved it, and then he declares the intention for Hajj and acts accordingly. It becomes valid. If he has not performed Hajj, they pray four rak'ahs. If they pray four, there is no harm. If they pray two with the people, that is their portion if they are pilgrims. If they pray four and they are from the people of Makkah, there is no harm. Some of them did not see that. If they pray with the people, it is better to pray two. As for those who are not pilgrims, such as workers and others, they pray four. Yes. Yes. Yes. Following the practice of the Prophet, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) approved of them and did not forbid them. He did not say to the people of Makkah, "Complete the prayer," just as he said to them on the Day of Conquest, "Complete the prayer," for it was a journey. Yes.