What is the ruling on one who enters the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah before the miqat?

Question:
This questioner says: Some of the students of knowledge say that if one enters the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah before the miqat, then that ihram does not become valid, and consequently, their statement is a definitive denial of the validity of the ihram, following Ibn Hazm. So what do we say to these people and how do we respond to them? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
The correct view, which is the position of the majority of scholars, is that it becomes valid, but one has left what is best. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) designated the miqats, he said: So it is the recommended practice (sunnah) for him to enter the state of ihram from the miqat. If he enters the state of ihram from other than the miqat, it is valid according to the scholars, but he has left what is best. If the resident of Ta'if enters the state of ihram from his house, or the resident of Madinah from his house, or the resident of Riyadh from his house, it suffices, but he has left what is the recommended practice, which is not to enter the state of ihram except from the miqat. The worst that can be said is that he has been strict with himself, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has made the matter easy for him and made entering the state of ihram from the miqat so that it would be easier for him and so that the period of ihram would not be prolonged for him. If he is strict with himself and enters the state of ihram before that—whether out of ignorance or for another purpose—then his ihram becomes valid. The worst that can be said is that he has done a disliked act, or left what is best. As for the statement that it does not become valid, that is a weak opinion and is of no value.