Q: I am staying in Abha. My wife and I intended to perform Tamattu` Hajj (`Umrah during the months of Hajj followed by Hajj in the same year with a break in between). Boarding the airplane, we assumed Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) intending `Umrah while over the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah). We then arrived in Jeddah to meet (Part No. 10; Page No. 111) my father who was coming from Cairo and he was also in the state of Ihram for `Umrah having intended to perform Tamattu` Hajj. We left our three children with our relatives in Jeddah on Monday, Dhul-Hijjah 4th, and headed for Makkah. After performing `Umrah, we ended the state of Ihram for it and went to Al-Madinah to greet the Prophet (peace be upon him) and then went back to Jeddah on Tuesday on the 5th of Dhul-Hijjah at noon. My father, my wife and I spent Friday, the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah in Jeddah with my children. After Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer, we assumed Ihram for Hajj from Jeddah and left our children again in Jeddah. We then performed Hajj rituals in succession and each of us slaughtered the Hady (sacrificial animal offered by pilgrims) that was due because of Tamattu`. Does assuming Ihram on the part of my wife, my father, and me from Jeddah for Hajj involve any infringement? Are we liable for anything else? May Allah reward you with the best.

A: Each of you is liable for a Damm (sacrificial animal offered as an atonement for not assuming Ihram from the Miqat of Al-Madinah when returning from there as you intended to perform Hajj while coming back. The Damm is a sheep meeting the same conditions for Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims) to be slaughtered in Makkah and distributed among its poor inhabitants.Moreover, it is permissible for someone who is traveling to Al-Madinah to have the intention of visiting Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah) and offering Salah (Prayer) therein. Greeting the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his two Companions (Abu Bakr and `Umar - may Allah be pleased with them both) should be done concomitantly. In this regard, it is impermissible to intend - by visiting Al-Madinah - to greet the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his two Companions, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: People are not to travel except to three Masjids (mosques): Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), (Part No. 10; Page No. 112) my Masjid (in Madinah) and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.