What is the ruling for a pilgrim who travels for hajj tammattu', dons ihram on the fourth of Dhul-Hijjah (and is thus obliged to slaughter), and who only refrains from cutting his hair or clipping his nails when he makes the intention to don ihram and then travels for hajj?

It is not disliked for someone on hajj tammattu' (‘umrah first hajj) who does not intend to offer a sacrifice, to trim his hair, clip his nails or shave any body part as long as he has not entered ihram. This is because there is a difference between udhiyyah and hady at-tamattu'. When a person enters a state of ihram for hajj tammattu', he is not allowed to trim his hair or clip his nails since these are among the things prohibited while in ihram. After 'umrah and release from ihram, he is allowed to do what has been prohibited for him while in ihram including trimming his hair and clipping his nails.

And God Almighty knows best.