The Months in Which Al-’Umrah Is Preferable and the Case of One Who Assumes the State of Ihram in One Month and Comes Out of Such State in another Month

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘It is narrated to us that performing al-‘Umrah in the month of Ramadan is equal to al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘This was only about a woman to whom the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had promised saying, “Perform al-‘Umrah in the month of Ramadan; it will be al-Hajj for you.’””

“I had decided to stay in al-Madinah in the month of Ramadan in the year two hundred thirteen. When al-Fitr came close I wrote to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and asked if leaving for al-‘Umrah in the month of Ramadan is better or to stay to complete fasting. He (the Imam) wrote to me a letter that I read was in his own handwriting that said, ‘You have asked, may Allah grant you blessing, about which al-‘Umrah is more excellent. Al-’Umrah in the month of Ramadan is more excellent. May Allah grant you blessings.’”