One Who Wants to Perform 'Umrah and Enters Makkah Without Ihram

Question:
This questioner says: A person wanted to perform 'Umrah, then he entered Makkah without entering the state of ihram because he did not know where the miqat is. When he reached the Haram, he changed his intention. What is required of him?

Answer:
How did he change his intention? He wanted to perform 'Umrah, but he did not enter the state of ihram because he did not know the miqat. As long as he did not enter the state of ihram, he owes nothing. As long as he did not enter the state of ihram, and entering the state of ihram is the intention to enter the rites of pilgrimage, it is not wearing the clothes of ihram, but rather the intention to enter the rites of pilgrimage. So if he intends in his heart that he has entered the rites of pilgrimage and that he has begun the rites of pilgrimage, then he has entered the state of ihram. As for the clothes, perfume, and these things, they are the prohibitions of ihram, not the ihram itself. They are not the ihram; they are the prohibitions of ihram. His ihram is valid even if he does any of the prohibitions; if he does any of the prohibitions, a fidyah (ransom payment) is required of him. If he does any of the prohibitions, his ihram is valid and he performs the 'Umrah. However, if his intention was that he came wanting to perform 'Umrah, and before entering the state of ihram he turned away from the 'Umrah, nothing is required of him as long as he did not enter the state of ihram. He may abandon the 'Umrah. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh.