As-salaamu'Alaykum,
With the days Hajj approaching this brief (and general) advice could be useful although more applicable for someone going for Hajj rather than those not. Regardless, here it is:
Advice to those performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah
All praise is due to Allah alone and may prayers of blessing and peace be upon His servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad
, upon his family and Companions and whoever followed them in righteousness until the Day of Judgement.
O Muslims, who have come for Hajj to the Sacred Hose of Allah, I ask Allah for success for you and us in doing that which pleases Him and safety from the deceptions of evil temptations. Likewise, I ask Him to give all of you success in offering your Hajj rites in the manner which pleases Him, and that He accept it from you, and return you to your lands safe and successful. Verily, He is the Best Who is asked.
O Muslims! Verily, my advice to everyone is to fear Allah in all situations, and to stand firmly upon His religion, and to beware of those things that cause His anger. Verily, the most important of the mandatory acts and the greatest of the obligations is the Tawhid of Allah and sincerity in singling Him out for all acts of worship. This goes along with being concerned about following His Messenger in statements and deeds. Verily, the rites of Hajj and the rest of the acts of worship should be performed in the manner that Allah legislated for His servants upon the tongue of His Messenger, His Khalil and His chosen one among His creation, our Prophet, Imam and leader, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah .
Verily, the greatest of evil acts and the most dangerous of crimes is to associate partners with Allah. This is by directing worship or some acts of worship to other than Allah. This is due to Allah’s statement:
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
(Qur’aan 04: 48)
And His statement while addressing His Prophet Muhammad:
And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allah , your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers."
(Qur’aan, 39: 65)
O you who are performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah! Verily, our Prophet did not perform Hajj after his migration to Al-Madinah except for once, and that was the Farewell Hajj. That was at the end of his life. During it he taught the people their Hajj rites by his statements and deeds. He said to them:
“Take your Hajj rites from me.”
(Al-Baihaqi, 5/121)
Thus, it is obligatory upon all of the Muslims to follow him in that and to perform their Hajj rites in the manner that he legislated for them. This is because he is the guiding teacher and Allah sent him as a mercy for all the worlds and as finality for the servants of Allah. Thus, Allah commanded to obey him (the Prophet), and He clarified that following him is a cause for entering Paradise and being saved from the Fire. He explained that he (the Prophet) was the proof of the servant’s true love for his Lord and Allah’s love for the servant.
This is as Allah said:
And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from.
(Qur’aan, 59: 7)
And He said:
And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
(Qur’aan 24: 56)
And He said:
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.
(Qur’aan 33: 21)
And He said:
These are the limits [set by] Allah , and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment.
And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits - He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.
(Qur’aan 04: 13-14)
And He said:
Say, [O Muhammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
(Qur’aan 7: 158)
And He said:
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah , then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
(Qur’aan 3: 31)
The verses with this meaning are numerous.
Therefore, my advice to all of you and to myself is to fear Allah in all situations and be truthful in following His Prophet, Muhammad, in his statements and actions so that you will be successful with happiness and salvation in this life and the hereafter.
O you who are performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah! Verily, when it was the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah, our Prophet set out from Makkah al-Mukarramah to Mina while saying the Talbiyah. He ordered his Companions to assume Ihram with intentions for Hajj from their places (in Makkah) and to set out for Mina. He did not command them to make Tawaf for leaving Makkah (Tawaful-Wada’). This proves that the Sunnah for whoever wants to perform Hajj from the people of Makkah, those who are staying in Makkah, those who have removed their Ihram after their Umrah and the other people making Hajj, to leave for Mina on the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] day saying the Talbiyah for Hajj. They are not required to go to the Sacred Masjid to make Tawaf around the Ka’bah for leaving Makkah.
It is recommended for the Muslims when assuming his Ihram for Hajj to do what he does at the Miqat when assuming Ihram, such as complete bathing, applying fragrance, and cleaning himself. This is as the Prophet ordered A’ishah to do when she wanted to assume Ihram for Hajj, and she had previously assumed Ihram for Umrah, but her menstrual cycle began when entering Makkah. Thus, she was unable to perform the Tawaf before leaving Mina and he ordered her to bathe and assume Ihram for Hajj (while in Makkah). So, she did that and she combined Hajj and Umrah (as Qiran).
Indeed the Messenger of Allah and his Companions, offered Az-Zuhr, al-‘Asr, al-Maghrib and Al-Isha’ and Al-Fajr prayers in Mina. They shortened (four Rak’ah) prayers without combining them (the prayers). This is the Sunnah in following the Prophet. It is also Sunnah for the people performing Hajj to occupy themselves with saying the Talbiyah, remembering Allah, reciting the Qur’aan and other acts from the aspects of goodness. This includes giving Da’wah (calling others) to Allah, commanding the good and forbidding the evil, and being kind to the poor.
When the sun rose on the day of ‘Arafah, the Prophet and his Companions set out to Arafat. Some of them said the Talibyah and some of them magnified Allah’s Greatness. When he arrived at Arafat, the Prophet settled down in a tent made of fur that was set up for him there, and he relaxed under its shade. This proves the permissibility of the Hajj pilgrims seeking shade wide tents, trees and similar things.
When the sun passed its apex at midday, the Prophet mounted his riding animal and gave a sermon to the people. He reminded them and taught them the rites of their Hajj. He warned them against Ar-Riba (usury and interest dealings) and the deeds of the pre-Islamic days of Ignorance. He informed them that their blood, their property and their homes were sacred among them. He commanded them to adhere to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. He informed them that they would never go astray as long as they adhered to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.
Thus, it is obligatory upon all of the Muslims and other than them to adhere to this advice and to stand firmly upon it wherever they are. It is obligatory upon all the rulers of the Muslims to hold on to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and to judge according to them in all of their affairs. They must also make their nations adhere to seeking judgement in the Islamic law. This is the path of might, honour, happiness and salvation in this life and in the Hereafter. May Allah help everyone to do this.
Then the Prophet led the people in Az-Zuhr and Al-‘Asr prayers, shortening and combining them in the time of the first of them (Az-Zuhr) and with one Adhan (before them) and two Iqamahs (one for each of them). Then he went to his place of standing and he faced the Qiblah and he remained upon his mount remembering Allah, making supplications to Him and raising his hands in supplication until sunset. He was not fasting that day, so it is known from this that what is legislated for the Hajj pilgrims is that they do as he did at Arafat. They shpuld occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, supplicating and saying the Talbiyah until sunset. They should raise their hands in supplication and they should not be fasting. Indeed it has been confirmed from the Messenger of Allah that he said:
“There is no single day during which more people are freed from the Fire than the day of Arafah. Verily He, the Glorified, draws near and He boasts about them (His servants) to His angels.”
(Muslim, no. 1348)
It has been reported from him that Allah says to the angels on the day of Arafah:
“Look at My servants. They have come to Me, dishevelled and dusty, seeking My Mercy. I call you to witness that verily I have forgiven them.”
(Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 2840 and Ibn Hibban no. 1006)
It has been authenticated from him that he said;
“I have stood here and all of Arafat is a place of standing.”
(Muslim no. 1218)
Then, after sunset, the Messenger of Allah set out to Muzdalifah while saying the Talbiyah, and he prayed Al-Maghrib with three Rak’ahs and Al-Isha with two Rak’ahs there (at Muzdalifah). This was done with one Adhan and two Iqamahs. Then he spent the night there and prayed Al-Fajr there along with its Sunnah prayer (before it), with one Adhan and one Iqamah. Then he went to Al-Mash’ar (the Sacred Site) and remembered Allah there, declared His Greatness and His Oneness, and supplicated while raising his hands.
He said:
“I have stood here and all of Jam’ (i.e., Muzdalifah) is a place of standing).”
(Muslim no. 1218)
This proves that all of Muzdalifah is a place of standing for the Hajj pilgrims. Each pilgrim spends the night at his place and he remembers Allah and seeks His forgiveness at his place. There is no need for him to go to the standing place of the Prophet. The Prophet permitted the weak people to leave during the night of Muzdalifah back to Mina during the night. This proves that there is no sin upon the weak among the women, the sick people, the elderly and whoever is required to accompany them to leave from Muzdalifah going back to Mina during the last half of the night. This is in acting according to the concession and avoiding hardship and crowding. It is also permissible for them to throw their pebbles at the stone pillar during the night, as is confirmed from Umm Salamah and Asma bint Abu Bakr. Asma bint Abu Bakr mentioned that the Prophet permitted that for the women.
Then, after it when there was sufficient light, he moved to Mina while saying the Talbiyah and heading for Jamratul-‘Aqabah (the largest stone pillar). He stoned it with seven pebbles while declaring Allah’s Greatness (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar) with each stone. Then he sacrificed his sacrificial animal. Then he shaved his head. Then A’ishah applied fragrance to him. Then he set out to the House (the Ka’bah) and made Tawaf around it. The Prophet was asked on the day of Sacrifice (the 10 [SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah) about the person who slaughtered before stoning the pillar, the person who shaved his head before slaughtering, and the one who made the Tawaf around the House before stoning. So he said (about all of that):
“No problem.”
The narrator of this hadeeth said that he was not asked about anything being done early or late on that day except that he said:
“Do it and there is no harm (in that).”
A man asked him:
“O Messenger of Allah, I performed Sa’y before performing Tawaf.”
The Prophet said:
“No problem.”
Thus, it is known by this that the Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim is to begin with stoning the pillar on the day of Eid, then sacrifice an animal if they are obligated to do so, and then shave their heads or shorten their hair. Shaving the head is better than shortening the hair, for verily, the Prophet prayed for forgiveness and mercy three times for those who shaved their heads. However, he only prayed once for those who shorten their hair. With this, the pilgrim achieves the first step of leaving Ihram. Thus, he wears sewn garments, he applies fragrances, and everything is permissible for him that was forbidden during Ihram, except having sex with women. Then he goes to the House (the Ka’bah) and performs Tawaf around it either on the day of Eid or after it. He also performs Sa’y Tamattu’. With this, everything becomes lawful for him that was forbidden during Ihram, even having sex with women. However, if he was performing Hajjul-Iffrad or Hajjul-Qiran, his first Sa’y suffices him that made when he performed the Tawaf of Arrival. If he did not perform Sa’y with the Tawaf of Arrival, he must perform Sa’y with Tawaful-Ifadhah (Tawaf for returning to Makkah after Arafah).
Then he went back to Mina and he remained there for the rest of the day of Eid, the 11[SUP]th[/SUP], the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] and the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. He threw pebbles at the stone pillars every day during the days of At-Tashreeq (the 11[SUP]th[/SUP], 12[SUP]th[/SUP] and 13[SUP]th[/SUP]) after the sun declined past its apex at midday. He would throw seven pebbles at each stone pillar while declaring Allah’s Greatness with each pebble. He would supplicate while raising his hands after finishing with the first stone pillar and the second stone pillar. He would place the first stone pillar on his left when he supplicated and the second on his right (when supplicating). However, he would not stand for supplications at the third pillar. Then, on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] day of Dhul-Hijjah, after stoning the pillars, he pushed on (leaving Mina) and settled at Al-Abtah. There he offered Az-Zuhr, al-Asr, al-Maghrib and Al-Isha prayers. Then he settled in Makkah at the end of the night and led the people in al-Fajr prayer. He then made the Farewell Tawaf and set out for Al-Madinah after the prayer on the morning of the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. May the best prayers of blessing and peace be upon him from his Lord.
It is known from this that the Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim is to do as he did during the days of Mina. Thus, he should stone the three pillars after the sun declines from its apex at midday during each day. He should stone each one with seven pebbles and declare Allah’s Greatness with each pebble. It is legislated for him to stand for supplications after stoning the first pillar. He should face the Qiblah while raising his hands and supplicating, and he should place the pillar on his left side. After stoning the second pillar he should stand for supplications in the same manner and place the pillar on his right side. This is recommended and it is not obligatory. However, he should not stand for supplicating after stoning the third pillar. If it is not easy for to stone the pillars after midday and before sunset, he may stone it for that day at night until the end of the night according to the most correct view of the two opinions of the scholars. This is a mercy from Allah upon His servants and a way of easing matters upon them. Whoever wishes to leave on the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] day after stoning the pillars, there is no harm in that. Whoever wants to stay until stoning the pillars on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] day, then that is better, as it agrees with action of the Prophet. It is Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim to spend the night in Mina during the nights of the 11[SUP]th[/SUP] and 12[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. According to many of the people of knowledge this spending of the night is obligatory. It suffices to spend most of the night there (in Mina) if that is easy. Whoever has an Islamically legislated excuse, lie the messengers and shepherds and similar people (whose jobs require them not to stay in Mina), then spending the night there is not obligatory on them. Considering the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] night, it is not obligatory upon the Hajj pilgrims to spend the night in Mina if they are in a hurry to leave and they set out before sunset. However, whoever is caught by night in Mina, then he must spend the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] night there and stone the pillars after midday on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP]. Then he may leave. No one is obligated to stone the pillars after the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] , even if they stay in Mina.
When the Hajj pilgrim wishes to travel to his homeland, he must make Tawaf around the House for leaving. He make seven trips around the Ka’bah. This is due to the Prophet’s statement:
“None of you should leave until he makes his last act at the House (the Ka’bah, i.e., Tawaf).”
(Muslim, no. 1327)
However, the menstruating woman and the woman with postnatal bleeding are obligated to perform the Farewell Tawaf. This is due to what is confirmed from Ibn Abbas that he said, “The people were ordered that their last act be at the House (i.e., Tawaf), but the matter was eased (i.e., not stipulated) for the menstruating women.”
Whoever delays the Tawaf of al-Ifadhah (for returning to Makkah after Arafat) and he performs Tawaf when he is ready to travel, that suffices him for Al-Wada’. This is de to the generality of the two mentioned hadeeths. I ask Allah that He help everyone to do what pleases Him and that He accepts (our Hajj) from you and us. I ask Him to make you and all of us from those who are freed from the Fire. Verily, He is in control of that and capable of doing it. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.
Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz. (rahimahullah)
(Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 4, Book of Hajj Rites, pg. 21-33)
With the days Hajj approaching this brief (and general) advice could be useful although more applicable for someone going for Hajj rather than those not. Regardless, here it is:
Advice to those performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah
All praise is due to Allah alone and may prayers of blessing and peace be upon His servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad
, upon his family and Companions and whoever followed them in righteousness until the Day of Judgement.O Muslims, who have come for Hajj to the Sacred Hose of Allah, I ask Allah for success for you and us in doing that which pleases Him and safety from the deceptions of evil temptations. Likewise, I ask Him to give all of you success in offering your Hajj rites in the manner which pleases Him, and that He accept it from you, and return you to your lands safe and successful. Verily, He is the Best Who is asked.
O Muslims! Verily, my advice to everyone is to fear Allah in all situations, and to stand firmly upon His religion, and to beware of those things that cause His anger. Verily, the most important of the mandatory acts and the greatest of the obligations is the Tawhid of Allah and sincerity in singling Him out for all acts of worship. This goes along with being concerned about following His Messenger
in statements and deeds. Verily, the rites of Hajj and the rest of the acts of worship should be performed in the manner that Allah legislated for His servants upon the tongue of His Messenger, His Khalil and His chosen one among His creation, our Prophet, Imam and leader, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah .Verily, the greatest of evil acts and the most dangerous of crimes is to associate partners with Allah. This is by directing worship or some acts of worship to other than Allah. This is due to Allah’s statement:
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
(Qur’aan 04: 48)
And His statement while addressing His Prophet Muhammad
: And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allah , your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers."
(Qur’aan, 39: 65)
O you who are performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah! Verily, our Prophet did not perform Hajj after his migration to Al-Madinah except for once, and that was the Farewell Hajj. That was at the end of his life. During it he taught the people their Hajj rites by his statements and deeds. He
said to them: “Take your Hajj rites from me.”
(Al-Baihaqi, 5/121)
Thus, it is obligatory upon all of the Muslims to follow him in that and to perform their Hajj rites in the manner that he legislated for them. This is because he
is the guiding teacher and Allah sent him as a mercy for all the worlds and as finality for the servants of Allah. Thus, Allah commanded to obey him (the Prophet), and He clarified that following him is a cause for entering Paradise and being saved from the Fire. He explained that he (the Prophet) was the proof of the servant’s true love for his Lord and Allah’s love for the servant. This is as Allah said:
And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from.
(Qur’aan, 59: 7)
And He said:
And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
(Qur’aan 24: 56)
And He said:
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.
(Qur’aan 33: 21)
And He said:
These are the limits [set by] Allah , and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment.
And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits - He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.
(Qur’aan 04: 13-14)
And He said:
Say, [O Muhammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
(Qur’aan 7: 158)
And He said:
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah , then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
(Qur’aan 3: 31)
The verses with this meaning are numerous.
Therefore, my advice to all of you and to myself is to fear Allah in all situations and be truthful in following His Prophet, Muhammad
, in his statements and actions so that you will be successful with happiness and salvation in this life and the hereafter.O you who are performing Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah! Verily, when it was the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah, our Prophet set out from Makkah al-Mukarramah to Mina while saying the Talbiyah. He ordered his Companions to assume Ihram with intentions for Hajj from their places (in Makkah) and to set out for Mina. He did not command them to make Tawaf for leaving Makkah (Tawaful-Wada’). This proves that the Sunnah for whoever wants to perform Hajj from the people of Makkah, those who are staying in Makkah, those who have removed their Ihram after their Umrah and the other people making Hajj, to leave for Mina on the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] day saying the Talbiyah for Hajj. They are not required to go to the Sacred Masjid to make Tawaf around the Ka’bah for leaving Makkah.
It is recommended for the Muslims when assuming his Ihram for Hajj to do what he does at the Miqat when assuming Ihram, such as complete bathing, applying fragrance, and cleaning himself. This is as the Prophet ordered A’ishah to do when she wanted to assume Ihram for Hajj, and she had previously assumed Ihram for Umrah, but her menstrual cycle began when entering Makkah. Thus, she was unable to perform the Tawaf before leaving Mina and he ordered her to bathe and assume Ihram for Hajj (while in Makkah). So, she did that and she combined Hajj and Umrah (as Qiran).
Indeed the Messenger of Allah and his Companions, offered Az-Zuhr, al-‘Asr, al-Maghrib and Al-Isha’ and Al-Fajr prayers in Mina. They shortened (four Rak’ah) prayers without combining them (the prayers). This is the Sunnah in following the Prophet. It is also Sunnah for the people performing Hajj to occupy themselves with saying the Talbiyah, remembering Allah, reciting the Qur’aan and other acts from the aspects of goodness. This includes giving Da’wah (calling others) to Allah, commanding the good and forbidding the evil, and being kind to the poor.
When the sun rose on the day of ‘Arafah, the Prophet and his Companions set out to Arafat. Some of them said the Talibyah and some of them magnified Allah’s Greatness. When he arrived at Arafat, the Prophet settled down in a tent made of fur that was set up for him there, and he relaxed under its shade. This proves the permissibility of the Hajj pilgrims seeking shade wide tents, trees and similar things.
When the sun passed its apex at midday, the Prophet mounted his riding animal and gave a sermon to the people. He reminded them and taught them the rites of their Hajj. He warned them against Ar-Riba (usury and interest dealings) and the deeds of the pre-Islamic days of Ignorance. He informed them that their blood, their property and their homes were sacred among them. He commanded them to adhere to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. He informed them that they would never go astray as long as they adhered to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.
Thus, it is obligatory upon all of the Muslims and other than them to adhere to this advice and to stand firmly upon it wherever they are. It is obligatory upon all the rulers of the Muslims to hold on to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and to judge according to them in all of their affairs. They must also make their nations adhere to seeking judgement in the Islamic law. This is the path of might, honour, happiness and salvation in this life and in the Hereafter. May Allah help everyone to do this.
Then the Prophet led the people in Az-Zuhr and Al-‘Asr prayers, shortening and combining them in the time of the first of them (Az-Zuhr) and with one Adhan (before them) and two Iqamahs (one for each of them). Then he went to his place of standing and he faced the Qiblah and he remained upon his mount remembering Allah, making supplications to Him and raising his hands in supplication until sunset. He was not fasting that day, so it is known from this that what is legislated for the Hajj pilgrims is that they do as he
did at Arafat. They shpuld occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, supplicating and saying the Talbiyah until sunset. They should raise their hands in supplication and they should not be fasting. Indeed it has been confirmed from the Messenger of Allah that he said:“There is no single day during which more people are freed from the Fire than the day of Arafah. Verily He, the Glorified, draws near and He boasts about them (His servants) to His angels.”
(Muslim, no. 1348)
It has been reported from him that Allah says to the angels on the day of Arafah:
“Look at My servants. They have come to Me, dishevelled and dusty, seeking My Mercy. I call you to witness that verily I have forgiven them.”
(Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 2840 and Ibn Hibban no. 1006)
It has been authenticated from him that he said;
“I have stood here and all of Arafat is a place of standing.”
(Muslim no. 1218)
Then, after sunset, the Messenger of Allah set out to Muzdalifah while saying the Talbiyah, and he prayed Al-Maghrib with three Rak’ahs and Al-Isha with two Rak’ahs there (at Muzdalifah). This was done with one Adhan and two Iqamahs. Then he spent the night there and prayed Al-Fajr there along with its Sunnah prayer (before it), with one Adhan and one Iqamah. Then he went to Al-Mash’ar (the Sacred Site) and remembered Allah there, declared His Greatness and His Oneness, and supplicated while raising his hands.
He said:
“I have stood here and all of Jam’ (i.e., Muzdalifah) is a place of standing).”
(Muslim no. 1218)
This proves that all of Muzdalifah is a place of standing for the Hajj pilgrims. Each pilgrim spends the night at his place and he remembers Allah and seeks His forgiveness at his place. There is no need for him to go to the standing place of the Prophet. The Prophet permitted the weak people to leave during the night of Muzdalifah back to Mina during the night. This proves that there is no sin upon the weak among the women, the sick people, the elderly and whoever is required to accompany them to leave from Muzdalifah going back to Mina during the last half of the night. This is in acting according to the concession and avoiding hardship and crowding. It is also permissible for them to throw their pebbles at the stone pillar during the night, as is confirmed from Umm Salamah and Asma bint Abu Bakr. Asma bint Abu Bakr mentioned that the Prophet permitted that for the women.
Then, after it when there was sufficient light, he moved to Mina while saying the Talbiyah and heading for Jamratul-‘Aqabah (the largest stone pillar). He stoned it with seven pebbles while declaring Allah’s Greatness (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar) with each stone. Then he sacrificed his sacrificial animal. Then he shaved his head. Then A’ishah applied fragrance to him. Then he set out to the House (the Ka’bah) and made Tawaf around it. The Prophet was asked on the day of Sacrifice (the 10 [SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah) about the person who slaughtered before stoning the pillar, the person who shaved his head before slaughtering, and the one who made the Tawaf around the House before stoning. So he said (about all of that):
“No problem.”
The narrator of this hadeeth said that he was not asked about anything being done early or late on that day except that he said:
“Do it and there is no harm (in that).”
A man asked him:
“O Messenger of Allah, I performed Sa’y before performing Tawaf.”
The Prophet said:
“No problem.”
Thus, it is known by this that the Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim is to begin with stoning the pillar on the day of Eid, then sacrifice an animal if they are obligated to do so, and then shave their heads or shorten their hair. Shaving the head is better than shortening the hair, for verily, the Prophet prayed for forgiveness and mercy three times for those who shaved their heads. However, he only prayed once for those who shorten their hair. With this, the pilgrim achieves the first step of leaving Ihram. Thus, he wears sewn garments, he applies fragrances, and everything is permissible for him that was forbidden during Ihram, except having sex with women. Then he goes to the House (the Ka’bah) and performs Tawaf around it either on the day of Eid or after it. He also performs Sa’y Tamattu’. With this, everything becomes lawful for him that was forbidden during Ihram, even having sex with women. However, if he was performing Hajjul-Iffrad or Hajjul-Qiran, his first Sa’y suffices him that made when he performed the Tawaf of Arrival. If he did not perform Sa’y with the Tawaf of Arrival, he must perform Sa’y with Tawaful-Ifadhah (Tawaf for returning to Makkah after Arafah).
Then he went back to Mina and he remained there for the rest of the day of Eid, the 11[SUP]th[/SUP], the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] and the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. He threw pebbles at the stone pillars every day during the days of At-Tashreeq (the 11[SUP]th[/SUP], 12[SUP]th[/SUP] and 13[SUP]th[/SUP]) after the sun declined past its apex at midday. He would throw seven pebbles at each stone pillar while declaring Allah’s Greatness with each pebble. He would supplicate while raising his hands after finishing with the first stone pillar and the second stone pillar. He would place the first stone pillar on his left when he supplicated and the second on his right (when supplicating). However, he would not stand for supplications at the third pillar. Then, on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] day of Dhul-Hijjah, after stoning the pillars, he pushed on (leaving Mina) and settled at Al-Abtah. There he offered Az-Zuhr, al-Asr, al-Maghrib and Al-Isha prayers. Then he settled in Makkah at the end of the night and led the people in al-Fajr prayer. He then made the Farewell Tawaf and set out for Al-Madinah after the prayer on the morning of the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. May the best prayers of blessing and peace be upon him from his Lord.
It is known from this that the Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim is to do as he did during the days of Mina. Thus, he should stone the three pillars after the sun declines from its apex at midday during each day. He should stone each one with seven pebbles and declare Allah’s Greatness with each pebble. It is legislated for him to stand for supplications after stoning the first pillar. He should face the Qiblah while raising his hands and supplicating, and he should place the pillar on his left side. After stoning the second pillar he should stand for supplications in the same manner and place the pillar on his right side. This is recommended and it is not obligatory. However, he should not stand for supplicating after stoning the third pillar. If it is not easy for to stone the pillars after midday and before sunset, he may stone it for that day at night until the end of the night according to the most correct view of the two opinions of the scholars. This is a mercy from Allah upon His servants and a way of easing matters upon them. Whoever wishes to leave on the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] day after stoning the pillars, there is no harm in that. Whoever wants to stay until stoning the pillars on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] day, then that is better, as it agrees with action of the Prophet. It is Sunnah for the Hajj pilgrim to spend the night in Mina during the nights of the 11[SUP]th[/SUP] and 12[SUP]th[/SUP] of Dhul-Hijjah. According to many of the people of knowledge this spending of the night is obligatory. It suffices to spend most of the night there (in Mina) if that is easy. Whoever has an Islamically legislated excuse, lie the messengers and shepherds and similar people (whose jobs require them not to stay in Mina), then spending the night there is not obligatory on them. Considering the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] night, it is not obligatory upon the Hajj pilgrims to spend the night in Mina if they are in a hurry to leave and they set out before sunset. However, whoever is caught by night in Mina, then he must spend the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] night there and stone the pillars after midday on the 13[SUP]th[/SUP]. Then he may leave. No one is obligated to stone the pillars after the 13[SUP]th[/SUP] , even if they stay in Mina.
When the Hajj pilgrim wishes to travel to his homeland, he must make Tawaf around the House for leaving. He make seven trips around the Ka’bah. This is due to the Prophet’s statement:
“None of you should leave until he makes his last act at the House (the Ka’bah, i.e., Tawaf).”
(Muslim, no. 1327)
However, the menstruating woman and the woman with postnatal bleeding are obligated to perform the Farewell Tawaf. This is due to what is confirmed from Ibn Abbas that he said, “The people were ordered that their last act be at the House (i.e., Tawaf), but the matter was eased (i.e., not stipulated) for the menstruating women.”
Whoever delays the Tawaf of al-Ifadhah (for returning to Makkah after Arafat) and he performs Tawaf when he is ready to travel, that suffices him for Al-Wada’. This is de to the generality of the two mentioned hadeeths. I ask Allah that He help everyone to do what pleases Him and that He accepts (our Hajj) from you and us. I ask Him to make you and all of us from those who are freed from the Fire. Verily, He is in control of that and capable of doing it. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad
, his family and his Companions.Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz. (rahimahullah)
(Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 4, Book of Hajj Rites, pg. 21-33)