Mufti Saad Abdul Razzaq
Leaving Muzdalifah: As dawn approached, Rasulullah S.A.W departed Muzdalifah, adhering to his practice of leaving before sunrise. Contrary to the custom of the pre-Islamic era, Rasulullah S.A.W chose not to delay departure until the sun was visible atop Mount Thabeer, thereby setting a new precedent for the Hajj pilgrimage.
This departure from Muzdalifah before sunrise was also observed by Hadhrat Umar R.A, emulating Rasulullah S.A.W example for subsequent generations.
Abu Dawud has recorded the following statement of Sayyiduna Umar R.A:
The disbelievers during the pre-Islamic era, would not leave Muzdalifah until the sun rose above mount Thabeer. The Nabi of Allah S.A.W opposed their practice and departed before sunrise.
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 1938, Pg. 224)
And in Bukhari Shareef, Hadhrat Amr Ibn Maymoon R.A narrates the following:
I witnessed Umar R.A (making wuqoof after Fajr) at Jam'(Muzdalifah) and he said, “The Mushrikeen used not to move on from Jam’ until the sun rose over (the mountain of) Thabeer. Rasulullah S.A.W differed from them and moved on before the sun rose. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1600, Pg. 604)
During the journey from Muzdalifah to Mina, Sayyiduna Fadhl bin Abbas R.A joined Rasulullah S.A.W on his mount, while Hadhrat Osamah R.A travelled on foot. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas R.A narrates the following as recorded in Bukhari:
Usamah Ibn Zaid was seated behind Rasulullah S.A.W from Arafat to Muzdalifah, and thereafter Fadhl Ibn Abbas joined Rasulullah S.A.W from Muzdalifah to Mina. Both of them have narrated that Rasulullah S.A.W did not stop reciting the Talbiyah until he pelted the Jamarah of ‘Aqabah. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1602, Pg. 605)
It was on the same route that Fadhl Ibn Abbas R.A was instructed to collect the pebbles for the pelting of the Jamaraat and it was on the same route that a woman from the tribe of Khas’am approached Rasulullah S.A.W and enquired:
She asked, “Allah’s ordained obligation (i.e. compulsory Hajj) enjoined on His slaves has become due on my elderly father who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient if I perform the Hajj on his behalf?” He S.A.W said, “Yes”.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1755, Pg. 657)
While this discussion was taking place, Fadhl Ibn Abbas R.A was looking at her and she was looking at him. Rasulullah S.A.W turned the face of Fadhl Ibn Abbas R.A away, so that they do not look at each other. Additionally, Imam Ahmad R.A includes that on that occasion Rasulullah S.A.W said:
“This is the day when those who guard their eyes and tongues will be pardoned. Whoever refrains from looking at indecency and abstains from idle talk will be forgiven.” (Musnad Ahmad, 3350, Pg. 356)
A man approached Rasulullah S.A.W with a similar question, regarding the query of performing Hajj on behalf of his mother, Rasulullah S.A.W advised: “If your mother had a debt, would you not settle it? He replied in the affirmative, to which Rasulullah S.A.W stated ‘Then perform Hajj on her behalf’.
(Sunan An-Nasai Hadith No. 2639)
