What is the السنة regarding Fajr الصلاة and الدعاء at مزدلفة?

The السنة of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) at مزدلفة was to pray Fajr at its earliest time — as soon as the time enters — and then proceed to Mash'ar al-Haram where he stood facing the القبلةh, supplicating and remembering Allah until it became very light (just before sunrise). He then departed for منى before the sun rose. This morning الدعاء at مزدلفة is one of the great acts of worship during الحج, referenced in القرآن: 'When you depart from عرفة, remember Allah at Mash'ar al-Haram' (2:198).

الشيخ ابن باز explained that النبي prayed Fajr at its earliest time at مزدلفة specifically to maximize the time available for الدعاء before departure. This is unlike the general recommendation to delay Fajr slightly — at مزدلفة, praying early is the السنة. After Fajr, the الحاج should face the القبلةh and make extensive دعاء, raising their hands, until the sky becomes noticeably bright. Then they should depart for منى calmly, before the sun actually rises.

الشيخ ابن عثيمين clarified that while النبي stood specifically at Mash'ar al-Haram, all of مزدلفة is a valid place for this standing and الدعاء, as he said: 'I stood here, but all of مزدلفة is a standing place.' Going to the specific location of Mash'ar al-Haram is not required, especially given the enormous crowds. The الحاج should supplicate from wherever they are in مزدلفة after Fajr الصلاة.