What is the ruling on one who passes the miqat intending to perform Hajj or 'Umrah but has not entered the state of ihram?

The questioner : Some people say, “I am going to visit my brother in Jeddah and travel by plane or enter without entering the state of ihram.”

The Shaykh : Where is he traveling from?

The questioner : He is traveling from Jordan.

The Shaykh : As long as he has left his country intending to perform Hajj or 'Umrah, it is not permissible for him to pass the miqat except while in the state of ihram. However, if a person leaves from here and his intention is to visit his brother in Jeddah, he naturally will not enter the state of ihram. While he is in Jeddah, his brother might encourage him and facilitate the path for 'Umrah or Hajj, so he intends to perform it from there. But if he left his country intending to perform Hajj or 'Umrah, it is not permissible for him to pass the miqat except while in the state of ihram.

The questioner : He says, and this is the secret of his question, that he wants to visit his brother and intends to perform 'Umrah.

The Shaykh : He visits to satisfy his desire. The point is, he left his country intending to perform Hajj or 'Umrah, so it is not permissible for him to pass the miqat except while in the state of ihram.