Entering Makkah without assuming the state of Ihram after staying away from it for forty days

Q 1: What is the ruling on entering into Makkah Al-Mukarramah (Makkah, the Honored) without assuming the state of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) after staying away from it for forty days? What is the authenticity of the Hadith related in this regard to the effect that whoever enters Makkah after staying away for forty days without assuming Ihram is disobeying Allah (Exalted be He) and disobeying His Messenger (peace be upon him)?

A: There is nothing wrong with entering Makkah without assuming the state of Ihram for a person who does not intend to perform Hajj or `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said after specifying the Miqats (sites for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah): And these Miqats are for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come through those places with the intention of performing Hajj and `Umrah. This indicates that a person who does not intend to perform Hajj or `Umrah may pass them without assuming the state of Ihram.