Due to overcrowdedness in Tawaf and Sa`y they delayed and could not spend the night in Mina

Q: I threw the Jamarat-ul-Kubra (the closest stone pillar to Makkah) on the day of `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice) and then I went to the tents in Mina and prayed the Zhuhr (Noon), `Asr (Afternoon), and Maghrib (Sunset) Prayers. After sunset, I headed for Makkah Al-Mukarramah in the company of some women and a group of other pilgrims to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah (final obligatory circumambulation of the Ka`bah in Hajj), because I was Mutamatti` (pilgrim performing `Umrah during the months of Hajj, followed by Hajj in the same year with a break in between). However, I could not return until after dawn from Makkah Al-Mukarramah because of my attendance on the group of women and the great crowd. Thus, I did not spend the night in Mina that night and could not come back to Mina because of the reasons cited above. At the same time, I did not spend the night in Makkah Al-Mukarramah on that day. Indeed, I spent the night while performing Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj and `Umrah) until the time of Fajr (Dawn) Prayer became due. Is it mandatory on me to offer a sacrificial animal for that? Please, advise me on this.


A: If the case is as you have mentioned, that you and those in your company went to Makkah (Part No. 10; Page No. 283) to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah and come back to Mina after completing it but you were hampered from returning to Mina until after the Fajr Prayer due to the crowd and your inability to return to Mina during the night, then there is no sin on you and nothing is due on you. This is because of the general implication of the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) where Allah (Exalted be He) says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. In addition to the other Ayahs to the same effect.May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.


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