What is the ruling on leaving Arafat before sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah?

The standing (wuquf) at Arafat is unanimously considered the greatest pillar (rukn) of Hac, based on Hz. Peygamber's statement: 'Hac is Arafat.' The time for this standing extends from the zenith (zawal) of the sun on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah until the dawn (fajr) of the 10th. Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) stood at Arafat 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 haci departs before sunset?

The majority of scholars — Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — hold that remaining at Arafat until after sunset is farz (wajib) for those who arrived during the daytime. If a haci departs before sunset and does not return before dawn, they must offer a dam (sacrifice a sheep) as a penalty, though their Hac remains valid. The reasoning is that Hz. Peygamber consistently stayed until sunset and said, 'Take your rituals from me,' establishing sunset as the boundary. However, if the haci returns to Arafat 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 Arafat is fulfilled by even a momentary presence within the boundaries of Arafat during the valid time, regardless of whether one stays until sunset. This means a haci who passes through Arafat briefly has fulfilled the rukn but missed the wajib of staying until sunset. All four schools agree that if a haci only arrives at Arafat after sunset (during the night), their standing is valid and no penalty is due — the night portion of wuquf is sufficient on its own.