Fatwa ID: 03389

Answered by: Maulana Mujahid Hussain​

Question

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

(1) For the past few years, the Saudi authorities have set up camps within the hudood of Muzdalifah and lodge hajis in these camps during the 5days of hajj whereas one is actually supposed to spend the night in Mina proper. So is this arrangement in order?

(2) Hajis returning from Arafat also pass the night close to these newly erected camps as it is actually Muzdalifah proper but being used by the authorities as a new extension of Mina. Will then the wuquf of muzdalifah be fulfilled by passing the night in these places. It is confusing so kindly guide.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 

Answer

Wa Alaikum Salam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

I also went Hajj this year and heard the same rumor. The Scholars I spoke to also differed on the same subject. However, I have as yet to see any credible evidence to back such a claim. In fact, basic common sense shows such claims are baseless.

Firstly we need to understand that the plain of Mina is between two mountains.

Until recently not all of it was suitable accommodation for the Hujjaaj. However the Saudi government, due to work on Mina, made more of it suitable for accommodation. This does not mean that they extended the plain of Mina. It only means that more of the Mina plain is used. It is for this reason that sometimes you hear the terms “ old Mina “  “ new Mina”.

The two mountains, between which the plain of Mina is found, are still present. So the plain of Mina has not been extended by the Saudi government at all, not even an inch.

Additionally, Mina is a distance from Mujdalifah. The distance between their closest point is about 1 kilometer and it can go up to 4 kilometers. So how can any part of Mina be Muzdalifah? It makes no sense at all!

You must have seen that it takes people a few hours to walk between the two places. There is a clear and big distance between the two places. So this claim contradicts basic facts and logic.

Especially In Hajj, we are required to follow the authorities unless we have clear evidence they are doing something wrong.

Indeed it's reported in a few narrations from the Sahaba that they said

“ Do in Hajj as your leaders do “

قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ أَخْبِرْنِي بِشَىْءٍ، عَقَلْتَهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَيْنَ صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ يَوْمَ التَّرْوِيَةِ قَالَ بِمِنًى‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ يَوْمَ النَّفْرِ قَالَ بِالأَبْطَحِ‏.‏ افْعَلْ كَمَا يَفْعَلُ أُمَرَاؤُكَ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdul-Aziz bin Rufai:

I asked Anas bin Malik, "Tell me something you have observed about the Prophet (ﷺ) concerning where he offered the Zuhr prayer on the Day of Tarwiya (8th Dhul-Hijja)." Anas replied, "He offered it at Mina." I said, "Where did he offer the `Asr prayer on the Day of Nafr (day of departure from Mina)?" He replied, "At Al-Abtah," and added, "You should do as your leaders do."[1]

Due to the lack of evidence, I must say this claim is baseless and your questions are invalid unless you can bring some proof to back up your claim.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mujahid Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah 

Darul Ifta Birmingham