Passing the Miqat without assuming Ihram

Q: During the Ramadan vacation of the year 1410 A.H., my husband and I intended to move from Khamis Mushait to Jeddah to enjoy ourselves and perform `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). Our plan was to go to Jeddah for a walk and then perform `Umrah. This was our set intention when we left home. In view of this, we headed on Thursday to Jeddah where we stayed for two days, then we entered Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) from Jeddah and then went to Makkah Al-Mukarramah to perform `Umrah. Praise be to Allah who blessed us to perform it, then we returned to Jeddah. I must add that I menstruated while on the way to Jeddah. Then I was purified after staying in Jeddah. We had our walk and then we performed `Umrah.The question is: Is our `Umrah valid? If it is not valid, how should we consider it and what is required to make up for it? If, for example, a Fidyah (ransom) is required but we failed to offer it because of our need to depart, is this permissible? This issue is not clear to us; moreover, we find divergent opinions on what to do and we hope that Your Eminence would give us a beneficial answer. May Allah safeguard you. (Part No. 10; Page No. 107

A: The `Umrah you performed is valid; yet each of you is required to slaughter a sacrificial animal meeting the same conditions for Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims) in Makkah to be distributed among the poor and the needy there. This is because you passed the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) without entering Ihram, while having intended to perform `Umrah when you were in your home country.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.