The appointed time for throwing the pebbles on each of the three Days of Tashriq

Q: I went to Makkah Al-Mukarramah (Makkah, the Honored) with my family to perform Hajj this year. While we were at Mina, it was overcrowded on the first of Days of Tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) when we were throwing pebbles (at the pebble-throwing area during Hajj). While at Mina on the eleventh night of Dhul-Hijjah, an Islamic Awareness vehicle passed by us. The people in the vehicle were instructing people on the rituals of Hajj and what they had to do during the Days of Tashriq. I told them that my old age made me suffer a lot while throwing the pebbles on the first of the Days of Tashriq. The shaykh permitted me to throw the pebbles of the second Day of Tashriq at midnight, (Part No. 10; Page No. 303) which was the eleventh night of Dhul-Hijjah. I threw the pebbles of the second day of Tashriq at 1:00 A.M. On the twelfth day of Dhul-Hijjah. I also threw the pebbles on behalf of my wife and six children. I could find no one to undertake throwing the pebbles on behalf of me, my wife and children. After I returned to work, someone told me I had to offer Dam (atonement required of a pilgrim for a willful violation of a prohibition or obligation while in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) for my wife and each one of my children despite the fact that he knows of my old age and that I had many young children with me, which caused me to suffer a lot while throwing the pebbles. That is why I hope that you, may Allah bless your steps and benefit us with your knowledge, will send me an endorsed Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) so that I can know more about the religious matters of Islam.

A: The appointed time of throwing the pebbles on each of the three days of Tashriq starts after the Zawal (midday) of each day. Accordingly, by throwing the pebbles of the twelfth day of Dhul-Hijjah at 1 A.M., you did not perform one of the rituals of Hajj at its Shar`y (Islamically lawful) time. Therefore, you are obliged to offer a Fidyah (ransom) on behalf of yourself, your wife and each of your children. It has to be sacrificed in Makkah and distributed to the poor inhabitants of the Haram (all areas within the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah). If you are incapable of doing that, you will all be obliged to observe Sawm (Fast) for ten days.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.