Vowing to go to Makkah and offer prayers in the Haram for a month

Q: While suffering a severe illness, I vowed to visit Makkah and perform Salah (Prayer) in Al-Masjid Al-Haram for a month. Thanks to Allah, I have now recovered. Is it then permissible for me to spend the thirty days there intermittently, i.e. to go for ten consecutive days, then for another ten, and after a while another ten? Indeed, I cannot stay there for the whole thirty days together, because my children are young and unable to take me there, and I cannot go there on my own. (Part No. 23; Page No. 379) Should I perform Sawm (Fast), or feed poor people instead of going to Makkah for a whole month, or delay fulfilling my vow until my children grow older and I can go with them? Is it permissible for me to delay fulfilling the vow or must I hasten to do so? I really fear dying without spending this month in Makkah.

A: If you intended to spend a consecutive month, you have to do so by staying in Makkah for thirty consecutive days. However, if you did not intend these days to be consecutive, there is no harm in going to Makkah on an intermittent basis. As for delaying to fulfill your vow, you are not to blame for this unless you had intended to do it all at once. If this is the case, you must offer an oath expiation along with fulfilling the vow in the manner mentioned.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.