The Sunnah is to remain at عرفات until after sunset, following نبی کریم'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 حج itself remains valid regardless.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) remained at عرفات until after the sun had completely set, and then he departed for مزدلفہ. This established the Sunnah of remaining at عرفات until sunset. The scholars differ on the ruling for a حاجی who departs before sunset and whether a penalty is required.
The Hanbali school, followed by Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymeen, holds that remaining at عرفات until sunset is wajib (واجب), and leaving before sunset without returning requires a dam (sacrifice of a sheep). Their evidence is that نبی کریم consistently remained until sunset and said: 'Take your rites from me.' If the حاجی returns to عرفات before sunset — even briefly — no penalty is due. Sheikh Ibn Baz emphasized that نبی کریم's practice of staying until sunset is binding, not merely مستحب.
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 مستحب 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 حاجی left before sunset, as long as they were present at عرفات at some point after zawal. The حج is not invalidated by early departure.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) remained at عرفات until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) remained at عرفات until the sun had completely set and the yellow light (of sunset) had slightly gone. Then he departed, urging his camel to move quickly.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform حج after this حج of mine.'
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform حج after this حج of mine.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Remaining at عرفات until sunset is wajib. Leaving before sunset requires a dam. The حج itself remains valid.
Al-Hidayah: 'Remaining at عرفات until sunset is واجب, 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 عرفات 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 مستحب but not واجب in the Shafi'i school.
Remaining until sunset is wajib. A dam is required for leaving early without returning. If the حاجی returns before sunset, no penalty applies.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 'Whoever leaves عرفات before sunset must offer a dam.'
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) remained at عرفات 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)نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: 'Take your rites from me, for I do not know whether I will perform حج after this حج of mine.'
Sahih Muslim #1297 (sahih)