The Night at al-Muzdalifah, Staying in al-Mash‘ar, Departing It and Its Limits

(NOTE: Fatwa best explains the beginning of this Hadith.)“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must not perform al-Maghrib Salat (prayer) until you arrive at al-Jam‘ so that you can perform both al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha’ al-’Akhirah with one Adhan and two ’Iqamah. You must disembark in valley on the right side of the road near al-Mash‘ar. One who performs al-Hajj for the first time should stay in al-Mash‘ar al-Haram, walk on foot but must not pass Hiyaz in the night of al-Muzdalifah, and should say, ‘O Allah, this is an assembly. O Allah, I appeal before You to accumulate for me all goodness. O Allah, do not deprive me of the goodness for which I have appealed before You, and accumulate all of it in my heart. I appeal before You to make me learn what You have made Your friends to learn at this place, and keep me safe from all wickedness and evil.’ You should remain, if you can, that night awake. It has come to us that the doors of the heaven remain open that night for the voices of the believing people, who express a humming voice like honey bees. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, says, ‘I am Your Lord and you are My servants. You have yielded to My rights and it is necessary for Me to answer your prayers.’ During that night Allah deletes the sins of whomever He wants and forgives whomever He decides to forgive.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the Rak‘ats of Salat (prayer) after al-Maghrib during the night of al-Muzdalifah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform them after al-‘Isha’ as four Rak‘at.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is preferable for al-Sarura (one who performs al-Hajj for the first time) to walk on al-Mash‘ar al-Haram (name of a place) and enter the House. ’’’(Fatwa best explains Hadith 2-3 of this Chapter.)

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must remain with a valid Wudu’ in the morning. After performing the morning salat (prayer), stay if you like, near the hill, or wherever you like. Praise Allah and thank Him, speak of His bounties and of His trials as much as you can and say, ‘O Allah, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause). This should be of what you may say, ‘O Allah, Lord of al-Mash‘ar al-Haram, set my neck free from hellfire, increase my sustenance of the lawful kind, keep away from me wickedness of sinful Jinn and man. O Allah, You are the best of those who are sought, the best of those before whom appeals are made and the best of those who are asked for help. Every delegate receives a gift. As gifts for me, ignore my mistakes, accept my excuses and forgive my transgressions; thereafter make piety my supplies of this world.’ Then leave as soon as it becomes bright enough to see the footprints of camels.’”

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the time in which he likes to leave al-Jam' (Mash’ar). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a little before sunrise. That is the best hour to me.’ I asked, ‘Can we wait until sunrise?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not cross Wadiy Muhassar (valley) until it is sunrise.’” (Fatwa best explains Ahadith 5-6 of this Chapter)