We were with ‘Uthman bin `Affan (رضي الله عنه) in al-Juhfah, and with him were a group of people from Syria, among whom was Habeeb bin Maslamah Al-Fihri. `Uthman said, when joining `Umrah to Hajj (tamattu`) was mentioned to him: It is more perfect for Hajj and umrah that they should not be done together in the months of Hajj. If you delay this ‘Umrah so that you visit this House twice, that will be better, for Allah, may He be exalted, has bestowed a great deal of good. `Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) was at the bottom of the valley, seeding a camel of his. He heard about what `Uthman had said, and he came and stood over `Uthman (رضي الله عنه) and said: Do you want a Sunnah that was established by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and a concession that Allah, may He be exalted, granted to people in His Book to be restricted for them and to forbid it to them? It is for the one who needs it and for the one whose home is remote. Then he entered ihram for Hajj and `Umrah together. ‘Uthman (رضي الله عنه) turned to the people and said: Did I forbid it? I did not forbid it; rather it was only an opinion that I suggested. Whoever wants to follow it may do so and whoever wants to ignore it may do so.