Women, the elderly, children, and weak or sick حجاج are permitted to leave مزدلفہ after midnight (after the moon sets) rather than waiting until after Fajr. This is a confirmed Sunnah concession based on نبی کریم's permission to the weak members of his family. They may proceed to منیٰ and stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn. Strong, healthy men should remain until after Fajr نماز.
Women, the elderly, children, sick حجاج, and those who are weak or have difficulty with crowds are permitted to leave مزدلفہ after midnight (or after the moon sets) according to the consensus of scholars from all four schools. This is a confirmed Sunnah concession granted by نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) himself. He sent the weak members of his family, including his wife Sawdah and others, ahead from مزدلفہ to منیٰ during the latter part of the night to avoid the rush of the main body of حجاج departing at dawn.
Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that the concession is available to all who have a genuine reason for early departure, including women who want to avoid the extreme crowding, elderly حجاج, those with small children, and the sick. These حجاج may proceed directly to منیٰ and stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn, which is permissible for them based on this concession. Strong, able-bodied men should remain at مزدلفہ until after Fajr نماز, following نبی کریم's own practice.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen specified that the earliest permissible time for departure is the latter half of the night (after midnight), based on the narration that نبی کریم sent them ahead 'at the end of the night' and the moon setting. He cautioned against departing too early — shortly after Maghrib and Isha نمازs — as this would mean the حاجی barely stayed at مزدلفہ at all. Those who take this concession should still pray Maghrib and Isha at مزدلفہ before departing.
Sawdah asked permission of نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) to leave مزدلفہ before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
Sawdah asked permission of نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) to leave مزدلفہ before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
I was among those whom نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفہ to منیٰ during the night, among the weak members of his family.
I was among those whom نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفہ to منیٰ during the night, among the weak members of his family.
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Women and weak حجاج may leave مزدلفہ after midnight. They may stone Jamrat al-Aqabah before dawn. Strong men should wait until after Fajr.
Al-Hidayah: the concession for early departure is for the weak, women, elderly, and sick.
The Maliki school permits weak حجاج to leave after midnight. They recommend staying as long as reasonably possible. The concession covers women, elderly, and children.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik permitted early departure for those with genuine difficulty.
The Shafi'i school permits departure after midnight for women, the elderly, the sick, and their companions. Stoning before dawn is also permitted for them.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: 'The weak may depart مزدلفہ after midnight, based on the prophetic concession.'
The Hanbali school explicitly permits early departure after midnight for women, children, the elderly, and the weak. Their companions may also leave with them to assist.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: the concession for early departure is established by multiple hadith and extends to those who accompany the weak.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
Sawdah asked permission of نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) to leave مزدلفہ before the rush of people (before dawn), as she was a heavy woman. He gave her permission, and she departed before dawn. The rest of us waited until morning.
Sahih al-Bukhari #1681 (sahih)I was among those whom نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) sent ahead from مزدلفہ to منیٰ during the night, among the weak members of his family.
Sahih al-Bukhari #1678 (sahih)