Last Ramadan, I assumed Ihram (ritual state of consecration) for ‘Umrah from Jeddah, for which a sacrifice has become due on me; and I have still not been able to offer it. Now I intend to perform Hajj. Is it due on me to offer the sacrifice before intending to perform Hajj? When I intend to perform Hajj and arrive in Makkah, should I then slaughter it and complete Hajj? Is it possible to postpone it till after Hajj?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If the questioner lives in Jeddah, then it is a Meeqat (place from where one is to assume Ihram) for him and no sacrifice is due on him if he assumes Ihram therefrom. If he is not one of its inhabitants but lives outside the areas that are considered Meeqats of Ihram and he has set off for ‘Umrah and assumed Ihram from Jeddah, then a sacrifice is due on him. It has to be slaughtered and distributed among the poor inhabitants of the Sanctuary. It is impermissible for him to postpone it as long as he is able to offer it since it is a right in his liability that he should fulfill. However, the fact that it is still in his liability does not stand against intending to perform Hajj or actually performing it. If he is unable to offer a sacrifice, then he should observe ten fasts instead.

Allaah Knows best.