Women, the elderly, children, and weak or sick الحجاج are permitted to leave مزدلفة after midnight (after the moon sets) rather than waiting until after Fajr. This is a confirmed السنة concession based on النبي's permission to the weak members of his family. They may proceed to منى and stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn. Strong, healthy men should remain until after Fajr الصلاة.
Women, the elderly, children, sick الحجاج, and those who are weak or have difficulty with crowds are permitted to leave مزدلفة after midnight (or after the moon sets) عند the consensus of scholars from all four schools. This is a confirmed السنة concession granted by النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) himself. He sent the weak members of his family, including his wife Sawdah and others, ahead from مزدلفة to منى during the latter part of the night to avoid the rush of the main body of الحجاج departing at dawn.
الشيخ ابن باز explained that the concession is available to all who have a genuine reason for early departure, including women who want to avoid the extreme crowding, elderly الحجاج, those with small children, and the sick. These الحجاج may proceed directly to منى and stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn, which is جائز for them based on this concession. Strong, able-bodied men should remain at مزدلفة until after Fajr الصلاة, following النبي's own practice.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين specified that the earliest جائز time for departure is the latter half of the night (after midnight), based on the narration that النبي sent them ahead 'at the end of the night' and the moon setting. He cautioned against departing too early — shortly after Maghrib and Isha الصلوات — as this would mean the الحاج barely stayed at مزدلفة at all. Those who take this concession should still pray Maghrib and Isha at مزدلفة before departing.
Sawdah asked permission of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to leave مزدلفة before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
Sawdah asked permission of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to leave مزدلفة before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
I was among those whom النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفة to منى during the night, among the weak members of his family.
I was among those whom النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفة to منى during the night, among the weak members of his family.
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Women and weak الحجاج may leave مزدلفة after midnight. They may stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn. Strong men should wait until after Fajr.
Al-Hidayah: the concession for early departure is for the weak, women, elderly, and sick.
The Maliki school permits weak الحجاج to leave after midnight. They recommend staying as long as reasonably possible. The concession covers women, elderly, and children.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik permitted early departure for those with genuine difficulty.
The Shafi'i school permits departure after midnight for women, the elderly, the sick, and their companions. Stoning before dawn is also permitted for them.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: 'The weak may depart مزدلفة after midnight, based on the prophetic concession.'
The Hanbali school explicitly permits early departure after midnight for women, children, the elderly, and the weak. Their companions may also leave with them to assist.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: the concession for early departure is أُسس by multiple hadith and extends to those who accompany the weak.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
Sawdah asked permission of النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to leave مزدلفة before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
Sahih al-Bukhari #1681 (sahih)I was among those whom النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفة to منى during the night, among the weak members of his family.
Sahih al-Bukhari #1678 (sahih)