Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:

➊ The mentioned narration has been declared weak in its chain by our esteemed researcher. Furthermore, he has written that except for the phrase (illa ma wara’a al-‘aqabah), the rest of the narration is found in Sahih Muslim (1218) and Sunan Abi Dawud (1907, 1936, 1937). Therefore, except for the phrase (illa ma wara’a al-‘aqabah), the mentioned narration is actionable and authoritative. For further details, see: (Sahih Abi Dawud (Mufassal) by al-Albani, no. 1665, 1692, 1693; and Da‘if Sunan Ibn Majah by al-Albani, no. 65; and Sunan Ibn Majah, edited by Dr. Bashar ‘Awwad, no. 3012).

➋ The valley of ‘Urnah is near ‘Arafat but is not included in ‘Arafat. One should not stay there on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Otherwise, the obligation of standing at ‘Arafat will not be fulfilled, and the Hajj will be missed.

➌ To perform Hajj, it is necessary to stay in ‘Arafat, even if only for a short while.

➍ The Sunnah is to combine and shorten the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers at the time of Zuhr, and then remain engaged in supplication and remembrance of Allah in ‘Arafat until the sun sets.

➎ On the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, after sunset, one should depart from ‘Arafat towards Muzdalifah. In Muzdalifah, the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers should be combined and performed together.

➍ The valley of Muhassir is the valley where the army of Abraha was destroyed; therefore, when staying in Muzdalifah, one should be careful not to spend the night in the valley of Muhassir by mistake.

➏ The sacrifice should be performed in Mina. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Chapter: Slaughtering in the place of sacrifice of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at Mina, Hadith: 1711). However, if someone performs the sacrifice in Makkah (within the boundaries of the Haram), it is also permissible. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Manasik, Chapter: Prayer at Jam‘, Hadith: 1937; and Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Manasik, Chapter: Slaughtering, Hadith: 3048).

1937. Commentary: The places of standing (wuquf) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina are well-known. If one gets the opportunity to stand at these places without any crowding or causing harm, it is an honor; otherwise, the reward is equal in all places. Similarly, entering Makkah from the direction of Kada’ is superior, but one may enter from anywhere. Likewise, Mina is superior for offering the sacrifice.

Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:

➊
It is preferable to sacrifice the animal of sacrifice (udhiyah) in Mina.
And in Makkah (within the boundaries of the Haram)
it is also permissible.

➋
"Fijaj" refers to open pathways.
The meaning is that one can enter Makkah from any route.

➌
Nowadays, there is a proper slaughterhouse in Mina.
If it is easy to reach there, the sacrificial animal should be slaughtered there.
This also prevents cleanliness issues, and the meat in excess of the pilgrim’s need is not wasted; rather, it is preserved.
Later, it is distributed among Muslims in distant areas, especially in those regions where there is a shortage of food.

➍
In Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, one should not try to pitch a tent or stay at any specific place.
Rather, one should stay wherever space is available.
It is not permissible to inconvenience others without reason.

The valley of Arafah is an exception. This is explicitly stated in the hadith. The sermon (khutbah) and the prayers of Dhuhr and Asr are performed in the valley of Namirah, which is outside of Arafah, and then the standing (wuquf) of Arafah begins.

It is not possible for everyone to stay at the place where the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed, while the number of pilgrims increases every year.