Spending the night at Mina

Q 7: How many days should someone stay in Mina after the Day of Nahr (Sacrifice, 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims slaughter their sacrificial animals)? Please clarify the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) on this matter which reads: But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allâh (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.

A: It is obligatory that the pilgrim stays in Mina for two days following the Day of Nahr, meaning, the 10th and 11th of Dhul-Hijjah. However, (Part No. 11; Page No. 267) staying in Mina and throwing the Jamarat (stone pillars at which pebbles are thrown during Hajj) on the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah is not obligatory but only preferable. Only if the pilgrim remained in Mina until the sunset of the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, is it obligatory on them to spend the night of the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah night, as in the Hijri calendar the night precedes the day) there. After that, they should throw the three Jamarat after Zawal (midday). As for the meaning of the Ayah which is mentioned in the question: Whoever hastens to leave Mina after spending two nights there following the Day of Nahr and in the wake of throwing the three Jamarat in the 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, there is no sin on them and they do not have to offer any sacrifice for they have done all that is obligatory on them. Likewise, there is no sin on the person who spends the night of the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah in Mina and throws the three Jamarat on the same day. Rather, their stay in Mina for that extra night and their throwing of the Jamarat on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah are preferable and more rewarded acts because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did so. Then, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) concluded the Ayah by urging people to fear Him and believe in the Last Day with all the reckoning and recompense it will witness so that they may increase their good deeds and avoid those that are evil hoping for the Mercy of Allah (Exalted be He) and fear His Punishment.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.