The Sunnah is to remain at Arafat until after sunset, following Hz. Peygamber's practice. Leaving before sunset is a violation of the Sunnah according to 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 disliked but do not always require a dam. The Hac itself remains valid regardless.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) remained at Arafat until after the sun had completely set, and then he departed for Muzdelife. This established the Sunnah of remaining at Arafat until sunset. The scholars differ on the ruling for a haci who departs before sunset and whether a penalty is required.
The Hanbali school, followed by Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymeen, holds that remaining at Arafat until sunset is wajib (farz), and leaving before sunset without returning requires a dam (sacrifice of a sheep). Their evidence is that Hz. Peygamber consistently remained until sunset and said: 'Take your rites from me.' If the haci returns to Arafat before sunset — even briefly — no penalty is due. Sheikh Ibn Baz emphasized that Hz. Peygamber's practice of staying until sunset is binding, not merely sunnet.
The Hanafi school considers remaining until sunset wajib 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 Sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized Sunnah) rather than wajib, meaning it is highly sunnet but no dam is required for leaving early — only the loss of the Sunnah's reward. All scholars agree that the wuquf (standing) itself is valid even if the haci left before sunset, as long as they were present at Arafat at some point after zawal. The Hac is not invalidated by early departure.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) remained at Arafat until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) remained at Arafat until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform Hac after this Hac of mine.'
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform Hac after this Hac of mine.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Remaining at Arafat until sunset is wajib. Leaving before sunset requires a dam. The Hac itself remains valid.
Al-Hidayah: 'Remaining at Arafat until sunset is farz, and leaving early requires a sacrifice.'
The Maliki school considers remaining until sunset wajib. A dam is required for leaving early without returning. The wuquf itself is valid.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik required remaining at Arafat until sunset, with a dam for early departure.
The Shafi'i school considers remaining until sunset as Sunnah mu'akkadah, not wajib. No dam is required for leaving early, though it is strongly discouraged.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: remaining until sunset is strongly sunnet but not farz in the Shafi'i school.
Remaining until sunset is wajib. A dam is required for leaving early without returning. If the haci returns before sunset, no penalty applies.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 'Whoever leaves Arafat before sunset must offer a dam.'
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) remained at Arafat 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)Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform Hac after this Hac of mine.'
Sahih Muslim #1297 (sahih)