The السنة is to remain at عرفة until after sunset, following النبي's practice. Leaving before sunset is a violation of the السنة عند the majority. The Hanbali and Maliki schools hold that a dam (sacrifice) is required for leaving before sunset without returning. The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools consider it strongly مكروه but do not always require a dam. The الحج itself remains valid regardless.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) remained at عرفة until after the sun had completely set, and then he departed for مزدلفة. This أُسس the السنة of remaining at عرفة until sunset. The scholars differ on the ruling for a الحاج who departs before sunset and whether a penalty is required.
The Hanbali school, followed by ابن باز and ابن عثيمين, holds that remaining at عرفة until sunset is واجب (واجب), and leaving before sunset without returning requires a dam (sacrifice of a sheep). Their evidence is that النبي consistently remained until sunset and said: 'Take your rites from me.' If the الحاج returns to عرفة before sunset — even briefly — no penalty is due. الشيخ ابن باز emphasized that النبي's practice of staying until sunset is binding, not merely مستحب.
The Hanafi school considers remaining until sunset واجب as well, and requires a dam for leaving early. The Maliki school holds a similar position. The Shafi'i school, however, considers remaining until sunset as السنة mu'akkadah (emphasized السنة) rather than واجب, meaning it is highly مستحب but no dam is required for leaving early — only the loss of the السنة's reward. All scholars agree that the wuquf (standing) itself is valid even if the الحاج left before sunset, as long as they were present at عرفة at some point after zawal. The الحج is not invalidated by early departure.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) remained at عرفة until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) remained at عرفة until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform الحج after this الحج of mine.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform الحج after this الحج of mine.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Remaining at عرفة until sunset is واجب. Leaving before sunset requires a dam. The الحج itself remains valid.
Al-Hidayah: 'Remaining at عرفة until sunset is واجب, and leaving early requires a sacrifice.'
The Maliki school considers remaining until sunset واجب. A dam is required for leaving early without returning. The wuquf itself is valid.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik required remaining at عرفة until sunset, with a dam for early departure.
The Shafi'i school considers remaining until sunset as السنة mu'akkadah, not واجب. No dam is required for leaving early, though it is strongly discouraged.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: remaining until sunset is strongly مستحب but not واجب in the Shafi'i school.
Remaining until sunset is واجب. A dam is required for leaving early without returning. If the الحاج returns before sunset, no penalty applies.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: 'Whoever leaves عرفة before sunset must offer a dam.'
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) remained at عرفة until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
Sahih Muslim #1218 (sahih)النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform الحج after this الحج of mine.'
Sahih Muslim #1297 (sahih)