Elderly, sick, weak الحجاج, women, children, and their caregivers may leave مزدلفة after midnight — this was النبي's explicit concession to protect vulnerable الحجاج from crowd danger.
Yes, النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explicitly granted a concession for weak and vulnerable الحجاج to leave مزدلفة after midnight, before the Fajr الصلاة. He permitted his wife Sawda bint Zam'ah and other members of his family who were weak to leave early and proceed to منى ahead of the main body of الحجاج. This was done to protect them from the crush of crowds during the mass departure at dawn.
This concession applies to: elderly الحجاج, those with illness or physical weakness, women (especially those who may face difficulty in crowds), young children, and the companions or caregivers of any of these groups. The caregiver's concession is important — if an elderly person needs assistance, their helper may also leave early.
Those who depart early should proceed directly to منى and perform the stoning of الجمرات al-Aqabah (the largest pillar) before the main crowd arrives. This is actually a significant practical advantage, as the stoning area becomes extremely congested later in the day. The minimum time threshold for the concession is after midnight — leaving before midnight without a genuine الطوارئ would mean missing the واجب of the مزدلفة stay, which requires compensation (فدية).
Sawda asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for permission to leave مزدلفة before him and before the rush of people, as she was a heavy (slow) woman. He gave her permission.
Sawda asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for permission to leave مزدلفة before him and before the rush of people, as she was a heavy (slow) woman. He gave her permission.
Source: Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari
Sawda asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for permission to leave مزدلفة before him and before the rush of people, as she was a heavy (slow) woman. He gave her permission.
Sahih al-Bukhari #1681 (sahih)