Which ritual (Tamattu', Ifrad, or Qiran) is the most excellent?
Chapter on Mentioning Ihram
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The most excellent ritual is Tamattu'. This view is attributed to the Imams and companions such as Ibn 'Umar, Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, 'Aisha, Al-Hasan, 'Ata, Tawus, Mujahid, Jabir ibn Zayd, Al-Qasim, Salim, and 'Ikrimah. The evidence for the preference of Tamattu' is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded his companions, who had entered Ihram for Hajj (Ifrad or Qiran) after performing Tawaf, to exit their Ihram (become Halal) and make it an Umrah, implying that Tamattu' is superior. Furthermore, Tamattu' is explicitly mentioned in the Quran: {So whoever performs 'Umrah for Hajj - then [he must offer] what can be obtained of sacrificial offerings} (Quran 2:196), whereas the other forms lack such explicit mention of superiority. The Tamattu' pilgrim achieves both Umrah and Hajj in full during the sacred months with ease, which is preferable.
Supporting text
The view favoring Qiran is held by Al-Thawri and the People of Opinion, supported by the narration that the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited the Talbiyah for both Umrah and Hajj together, and the report regarding Sabi ibn Ma'bad being confirmed by 'Umar regarding his doing so. The view favoring Ifrad is held by Malik and Abu Thawr, supported by the narration that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Ifrad for Hajj (although this is contested, as explained in the main point regarding the conversion to Tamattu'). They argue that Ifrad allows the Hajj to be completed perfectly without the need for compensation (like the Hady for Qiran or Tamattu').