What is the Sunnah regarding Fajr نماز and دعا at مزدلفہ?

The Sunnah of نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) at مزدلفہ was to pray Fajr at its earliest time — as soon as the time enters — and then proceed to Mash'ar al-Haram where he stood facing the qiblah, supplicating and remembering Allah until it became very light (just before sunrise). He then departed for منیٰ before the sun rose. This morning دعا at مزدلفہ is one of the great acts of worship during حج, referenced in قرآن مجید: 'When you depart from عرفات, remember Allah at Mash'ar al-Haram' (2:198).

Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that نبی کریم prayed Fajr at its earliest time at مزدلفہ specifically to maximize the time available for دعا before departure. This is unlike the general recommendation to delay Fajr slightly — at مزدلفہ, praying early is the Sunnah. After Fajr, the حاجی should face the qiblah and make extensive دعا, raising their hands, until the sky becomes noticeably bright. Then they should depart for منیٰ calmly, before the sun actually rises.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen clarified that while نبی کریم stood specifically at Mash'ar al-Haram, all of مزدلفہ is a valid place for this standing and دعا, as he said: 'I stood here, but all of مزدلفہ is a standing place.' Going to the specific location of Mash'ar al-Haram is not required, especially given the enormous crowds. The حاجی should supplicate from wherever they are in مزدلفہ after Fajr نماز.