A pilgrim who wants to perform ‘Umrah in the months of Hajj followed by Hajj ( Tamattu` Hajj) and arrived in Hejaz lands in the month of Shawwaal. Is it permissible for him to perform ‘Umrah or should he wait until the coming of Thul-Qa‘dah?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is permissible for the pilgrim who wants to perform Tamattu‘ Hajj to make ‘Umrah in the month of Shawwaal or in Thul-Qa‘dah. That is because both Shawwaal and Thul-Qa‘dah are among the months of Hajj in which the pilgrim who performs ‘Umrah is considered doing Tamattu‘ Hajj. However, if he arrived at the lands of Hejaz and had not passed the Meeqaat, he would be allowed to enter the state of Ihraam for ‘Umrah whenever he wants during the months of Hajj. If he arrived at Makkah intending to carry out the rituals, he would not be allowed to enter it except in the state of Ihraam. It is not permissible for him to pass the Meeqaat toward Makkah except in the state of Ihraam as long as he wants to perform the rituals. After specifying the Mawaaqeet, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "These sites are for the designated people and for people who come through them from outside with the intention to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

If the pilgrim assumed Ihraam for ‘Umrah in Shawwaal or the next month and entered Makkah, he could perform the acts of ‘Umrah including Tawaaf, Sa‘y, and shaving or shortening the hair, whenever he wants before Hajj, so that he would be considered Mutamatti‘. The Sunnah is that he starts with Tawaaf upon entering Makkah.