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

The standing (wuquf) at عرفات is unanimously considered the greatest pillar (rukn) of حج, based on نبی کریم's statement: 'حج is عرفات.' 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. نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) stood at عرفات 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 حاجی departs before sunset?

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