Spending the night in Muzdalifah

Q: On the first night we spent in Mina, we stayed there from 9 P.M. Till 2.30 A.M. On the second night, we stayed in Mina from 5.45 P.M. Till 2.15 A.M. By doing so, have we properly fulfilled the obligation of spending the night in Mina? Please be informed that I and my wife hastened to leave Mina after these two nights because we had left our young children alone in the house of a relative of ours in Al-`Aziziyyah district. Actually, we worried about them as there was no one to care for them. Are we liable for any obligation? If I and my wife are liable for any obligation, how should we discharge it; should this take place in Makkah or in the South where we live? Please bear in mind that we are now back in (Part No. 10; Page No. 290) our workplace in the South. Please give us fatwa. May Allah reward you with the best for benefitting us and all Muslims.

A: Spending most of the night in Mina discharges the obligation and thus what you have done is sufficient, praise be to Allah. However, spending the whole night in Mina is far better as doing so follows the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.