Short answer
In the Hanafi school qiran is best, then tamattu, then ifrad. The Shafi'i and Maliki schools prefer ifrad and the Hanbali school prefers tamattu. All three are valid, and most pilgrims from abroad choose tamattu because it is easier.
Qiran (umrah and Hajj in one ihram) is the most virtuous, then tamattu (umrah, leaving ihram, then a new ihram for Hajj), then ifrad (Hajj only). Qiran and tamattu require a sacrifice of thanks. People who live within the miqat area do only ifrad.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Ifrad is best when an umrah is done in the same year, then tamattu, then qiran.
- Maliki
- Ifrad is best.
- Hanbali
- Tamattu is best.
Explanation
The Hanafis prefer qiran because the Prophet ﷺ was told by the angel at al-Aqiq to say "umrah within Hajj", and because qiran keeps the pilgrim in ihram longer, which is more effort for Allah. Each school reads the reports of the Farewell Hajj differently, and all agree the three ways are valid. The rites of each are set out in Types of Hajj.
- Qiran: one ihram from the miqat for both, kept until the 10th. Best, but long and demanding. A qarin who breaks a rule of ihram owes two penalties in the Hanafi school, one for each rite.
- Tamattu: umrah in the Hajj months, out of ihram until the 8th, then Hajj. Easiest for long stays. A sacrifice of thanks is due (see the hady of tamattu).
- Ifrad: Hajj only, no hady. For those living within the miqat zone, such as in Makkah, this is the only way in the Hanafi school.
The best type for you is the one you can do correctly. If you will arrive days before Hajj, qiran means many days of ihram restrictions in crowds and heat, and many scholars advise tamattu for most pilgrims. Hajj groups usually register you for one type; know which before you leave.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:196
وَأَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلْحَجَّ وَٱلْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا۟ رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ ٱلْهَدْىُ مَحِلَّهُۥ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِۦٓ أَذًۭى مِّن رَّأْسِهِۦ فَفِدْيَةٌۭ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍۢ ۚ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِٱلْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى ٱلْحَجِّ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌۭ كَامِلَةٌۭ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُۥ حَاضِرِى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ﴿١٩٦﴾
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
Joining umrah and Hajj is allowed, with a sacrifice.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:197
ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَٰتٌۭ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ ﴿١٩٧﴾
Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.
Hajj and its ihram are tied to the Hajj months.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1534
Sahih... صل في هذا الوادي المبارك وقل عمرة في حجة ...
"Pray in this blessed valley and say: umrah within Hajj."
The Hanafi proof that the Prophet performed qiran.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-qiran. Qiran is better than tamattu and ifrad.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-tamattu'. Tamattu and qiran are not for the people of Makkah.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Kitab al-Hajj. The Hanbali preference for tamattu.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj, bab wujuh al-ihram. The Shafi'i preference for ifrad.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.