What is the rule regarding spending the Night at Muzdalifah and what is the ruling if someone is not able?

Question :

What is the rule regarding spending the night at Muzdalifah, and if the Hajj pilgrim is not able and suffices by simply passing by it (ie., Muzdalifah), then what is the ruling on his Hajj?

Answer:

It is obligatory on the Hajj pilgrim to spend the night at Muzdalifah until the middle of the night comes. And if the person spends the complete night there, and prays the Fajr prayer there, and remembers Allâh after the prayer and seeks His forgiveness until it becomes light outside, that is better and more complete. It is permissible for the weak people among the women and the elderly and those similar to them, to leave during the last half of the night, because the Messenger permitted the weak among his family to do that. In reference to himself, he spent the night there and offered the Fajr prayer there. He remembered Allâh after the prayer, he declared His Right to be worshiped alone, and he sought His forgiveness. Then when it became very bright outside, he pushed on to Mina. It is more perfect for the Hajj pilgrim to follow him in that, and the weak people have the permission to leave before morning, as was mentioned previously. Whoever leaves off spending the night in Muzdalifah without a legislated excuse, he must slaughter an animal, as he has opposed the Sunnah. This is also due to the statement of Ibn 'Abbas: "Whoever leaves off a Hajj rite or forgets it, let him shed blood (i.e., sacrifice an animal)." There is no doubt that spending the night at Muzdalifah is a tremendous Hajj rite. Even some of the people of knowledge have held the view that it is a pillar from the pillars of Hajj. Some of them held the view that it is a Sunnah act. However, the most balanced of the opinions is that it is an obligation from the obligatory acts of Hajj. If it is left off, an animal must be sacrificed along with repentance and seeking forgiveness by whoever leaves this off intentionally without a legislated excuse.

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