Staying overnight in Muzdalifah

Q 1: I performed Hajj with some families who hired my van for the Hajj journey. We left `Arafah at 9:00 P.M. And reached Muzdalifah at 2:00 A.M. But they insisted on not staying the night in Al-Muzdalifah because they had their families with them and the Shari‘ah (Islamic law) permits them this. So we did not stay in Muzdalifah more than a quarter of an hour. What is the ruling on this?

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, that they had families with them and they were worried about their staying there throughout the night until dawn, there is no sin on you or on them for leaving, if you left Muzdalifah at 2 A.M. (Part No. 11; Page No. 213) This is permissible, because you left after midnight; weak people and women are granted this Rukhsah (concession) out of mercy towards them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.