Ruling on passing the miqat of Madinah without entering ihram

Question:
I am a resident of the Eastern Province. My wife and I intended to perform 'Umrah, and we passed through Madinah al-Munawwarah. On our way, we stayed there for four days, and then we headed to Makkah. We entered ihram from al-Sayl before entering Makkah. Was what we did valid?

Answer:
The 'Umrah is valid, but you made a mistake by passing the miqat of Madinah without entering ihram. It is obligatory for you to have entered ihram from the miqat of the people of Madinah, because your ruling is the ruling of the people of Madinah. Since you came via Madinah, your ruling is that of the people of Madinah, and you should enter ihram from Dhu al-Hulaybah. Since you passed it without entering ihram, a fidyah (ransom payment) is required of you. Each of you owes a fidyah: you must slaughter a sheep in Makkah and distribute it to the poor of the Haram. Yes.