What is the ruling on one who passes the miqat without entering ihram, being ignorant of the ruling?

Question : The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, I am a person performing 'Umrah. I intended to perform 'Umrah from Yemen, but due to ignorance of the ruling, I did not enter ihram from the miqat. What is obligatory for me? Is there an expiation other than blood (sacrifice)? Because some said that fasting suffices, so what is the correctness of that?

Answer : One who leaves off entering ihram from the miqat has left off an obligatory act. It is known among the people of knowledge that one who leaves off an obligatory act must offer a fidyah (ransom payment) that he slaughters and distributes among the poor of Makkah. As for the statement of those who said that fasting suffices, it has no basis. In fact, on the stronger position, fasting is not required from one who leaves off an obligatory act, even if he is unable to slaughter a sheep. Rather, we say to one who leaves off an obligatory act: slaughter a sheep. If you cannot, then you owe nothing. Yes.