Regarding the months of Hajj, Dr. Salah Sultan states that the meaning of verse 197 of Suratul Baqarah is that the Hajj season starts from Shawwal till Dhul Hijjah for those who want to do tamattu` or qiran type of Hajj. So, if one makes `Umrah in the month of Shawwal and then on 9th of Dhul Hijjah he starts the Hajj, then he has done tamattu` Hajj for which slaughtering is needed; or if he has started on the 5th or 6th of dhul Hijjah then he has done qiran hajj for which slaughtering animal is also needed. Almighty Allah says: (If any one wishes to continue the `Umrah on to the Hajj, he must make an offering such as he can afford…) (Al-Baqarah 2: 196)