What is the ruling on leaving Arafah before sunset on the 9th of Dzulhijjah?

The standing (wuquf) at Arafah is unanimously considered the greatest pillar (rukun) of Haji, based on Nabi's statement: 'Haji is Arafah.' The time for this standing extends from the zenith (zawal) of the sun on the 9th of Dzulhijjah until the dawn (fajr) of the 10th. Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood at Arafah and did not depart until after the sun had set, which establishes the Sunnah of remaining until sunset. The question arises: what is the ruling if a jamaah haji departs before sunset?

The majority of scholars — Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — hold that remaining at Arafah until after sunset is wajib (wajib) for those who arrived during the daytime. If a jamaah haji departs before sunset and does not return before dawn, they must offer a dam (sacrifice a sheep) as a penalty, though their Haji remains valid. The reasoning is that Nabi consistently stayed until sunset and said, 'Take your rituals from me,' establishing sunset as the boundary. However, if the jamaah haji returns to Arafah before fajr — even briefly — the penalty is lifted according to many scholars.

The Hanafi school agrees that staying until sunset is wajib and that leaving early incurs a dam penalty. However, they emphasize that the actual pillar of standing at Arafah is fulfilled by even a momentary presence within the boundaries of Arafah during the valid time, regardless of whether one stays until sunset. This means a jamaah haji who passes through Arafah briefly has fulfilled the rukun but missed the wajib of staying until sunset. All four schools agree that if a jamaah haji only arrives at Arafah after sunset (during the night), their standing is valid and no penalty is due — the night portion of wuquf is sufficient on its own.