The Virtue of Staying at Muzdalifah
Allah Most High bestows mercy upon those staying at Muzdalifah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“إِنَّ اللهَ تَطَوَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي جَمْعِكُمْ هَذَا، فَوَهَبَ مُسِيئَكُمْ، لِمُحْسِنِكُمْ، وَأَعْطَى مُحْسِنَكُمْ مَا سَأَلَ”
‘Allah Most High has bestowed mercy upon you in this gathering of yours at Muzdalifah. Thus, He has entrusted the sinners to the righteous, and He has granted the righteous what they asked for.’[1]
Setting Out for Muzdalifah
1. Shortly after sunset on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrim should set out from Arafat toward Muzdalifah calmly and at a steady pace. He should refrain from causing hardship to other pilgrims. He should avoid shouting and moving too quickly. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘On the Day of Arafah, he travelled with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, from Arafat to Muzdalifah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, heard from behind the sounds of people rebuking their camels and shouting. He then gestured to the people with his staff and said,
“أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالسَّكِينَةِ ، فَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ لَيْسَ بِالإِيضَاعِ”
‘O people! You should proceed calmly, for there is no virtue in hastening.’[2]
2. There is no harm in moving quickly when there is open space on the road. Urwah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘Usamah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “How did the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, travel during the Farewell Hajj?” He replied, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, travelled at a moderate pace, and when he found open space, he moved quickly.”’[3]
3. Do not perform the Maghrib prayer on the plain of Arafat or anywhere before entering the boundaries of Muzdalifah.
4. The boundaries of Muzdalifah begin after crossing the boundaries of Arafat and travelling approximately 6 km. There are signboards indicating the beginning and end of Muzdalifah. Check the signboards to make sure that you have entered Muzdalifah. Muzdalifah is also marked by large light poles, which may likewise be used to make sure.
What to Do at Muzdalifah
1. After reaching Muzdalifah, perform Maghrib and Isha together at the time of Isha without delay. Both Maghrib and Isha must be performed with one adhan and two iqamahs. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
“حَتَّى أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ فَصَلَّى بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ بِأَذَانٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ وَلَمْ يُسَبِّحْ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ”
‘The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came to Muzdalifah, where he performed Maghrib and Isha with one adhan and two iqamahs. He did not perform any tasbih prayer (Sunnah or voluntary prayer) between these two prayers. He then lay down and remained lying until Fajr (true dawn) appeared.’[4]
After the adhan, the iqamah should be called and the three rak‘ahs of Maghrib prayer should be performed first. Then, without performing any Sunnah or voluntary prayer, the iqamah for Isha should be called and the two-rak‘ah shortened Isha prayer should be performed. After the obligatory prayer, the Witr prayer should also be performed, because the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, never omitted this prayer, whether travelling or residing.
2. After performing the prayer, rest and lie down without delay. The hadith above indicates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, lay down and rested at Muzdalifah until true dawn. Since the pilgrim must exert considerable effort on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prescribed rest on the night at Muzdalifah. Therefore, for pilgrims to remain awake throughout the night at Muzdalifah in worship and devotion is contrary to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
3. If it is not yet time for the Isha prayer upon reaching Muzdalifah, one must wait. It is mentioned in the hadith,
“إِنَّ هَاتَيْنِ الصَّلاَتَيْنِ حُوِّلَتَا عَنْ وَقْتِهِمَا فِى هَذَا الْمَكَانِ الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ”
‘At this place—Muzdalifah—these two prayers, Maghrib and Isha, have been moved from their respective times.’[5]
4. The Sunnah is to perform the Fajr prayer at its earliest time when true dawn appears, then face the qiblah, raise one’s hands and supplicate. One should remain engaged in supplication and remembrance until the sky becomes light. Once the sky has become light, one should set out for Mina before sunrise. It is mentioned in the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him),
“فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى أَسْفَرَ جِدًّا فَدَفَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ”
‘The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, remained standing until the sky had become quite light. He then began his journey from Muzdalifah toward Mina before sunrise.’[6]
Therefore, every pilgrim should spend the night and remain standing after Fajr exactly as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, spent the night and remained standing at Muzdalifah.
5. After performing the Fajr prayer, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, went to the foot of Mount Quzah and remained standing there. Today, Masjid al-Mash‘ar al-Haram is situated beside this mountain. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“وَقَفْتُ هَاهُنَا وَجَمْعٌ كُلُّهَا مَوْقِفٌ”
‘I have remained standing here, but all of Muzdalifah is a place for standing.’[7]
Therefore, if possible, it is better to go near the aforementioned mosque and remain standing there. If that is not possible, check whether the place where you are is within the boundaries of Muzdalifah, and remain there.’
[1]. Ibn Majah: 3023.
[2]. Bukhari: 1671.
[3]. Ibid.
[4]. Muslim: 1218.
[5]. Bukhari: 1683.
[6]. Muslim: 1218.
[7]. Muslim: 1218.