The ruling on one who is not certain that the pebbles reached the area of the stoning pillars

Question:
We went to stone the pillars on the second day of the days of Tashriq, but due to the heavy crowd, we were unable to see the pillars. So, my father and I threw the pebbles without knowing whether they fell on the pillars or not, even though it is most likely that they did not hit them. Do we have any obligation? I have already asked this question of a shaykh whose knowledge and integrity I trust, and he said: “You must offer a sacrificial animal.” However, I did not clarify with him when, how, and where. I am not asking your Eminence to repeat the question except for clarification and further explanation.

Answer:
If it is most likely that your action was that they did not reach the target, as you said, then you must offer a sacrificial animal, just as the one who issued the fatwa to you did. If it is most likely in your opinion that the pebbles did not reach the pillars, then you must offer a sacrificial animal for that. You must offer one sacrificial animal, and one for your father. This is because stoning the pillars is obligatory. If it is not most likely that they reached the target, and you do not know that they reached it, then you slaughter the sacrificial animal with the intention of expiation for that Hajj you performed. You must offer one, and your father must offer one. The fatwa given to you is a correct fatwa.