The rites of 12 Dhul-Hijjah are exactly the same as those of 11 Dhul-Hijjah. On this day, pilgrims are generally divided into two groups: the ‘muta‘ajjil,’ or those who depart early, and the ‘muta’akhkhir,’ or those who depart later. As Allah Most High says,
﴿فَمَن تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوۡمَيۡنِ فَلَآ إِثۡمَ عَلَيۡهِ وَمَن تَأَخَّرَ فَلَآ إِثۡمَ عَلَيۡهِۖ لِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰۗ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ ٢٠٣ ﴾ [البقرة: ٢٠٣]
‘Then whoever hastens and leaves in two days, there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays, there is no sin upon him either. (This ruling is) for the one who observes taqwa. And observe the taqwa of Allah, and know that surely you will be gathered before Him.’[1]
Here, ‘whoever hastens’ refers to those who leave Mina on that very day in order to complete their Hajj. On the other hand, ‘whoever delays’ refers to those who do not leave (Mina) on that day; rather, they remain in Mina and leave only after completing the stoning the following day after the sun has declined toward the west. Remaining in Mina on the 13th is preferable. This is because,
a. Allah Most High has permitted an early departure only on the basis of taqwa, as stated in the aforementioned verse.
And taqwa is manifested in a person’s actions. Many people, becoming weary of the rites of Hajj, abandon the stoning on the final day. Others leave Mina due to the possibility of financial loss. This is entirely contrary to taqwa. Therefore, a pilgrim should never do so.
b. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, himself remained in Mina on the 13th and performed the stoning. All goodness lies in following the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, precisely.
[1]. Al-Baqarah: 203.