Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:
➊ ‘Unuq refers to that moderate pace which is neither too slow nor too fast.

➋ Nas refers to the fast pace of a camel.

➌ In crowded places, moving at a fast pace is not appropriate because it causes inconvenience to others and there is a risk of accidents.

➍ It is permissible to require more work from an animal according to its strength and as needed. However, one should not always try to extract the maximum possible work from it; rather, its comfort should also be taken into consideration.

Hadith Commentary:
‘Anaq and Nass are names for the gaits of a camel.
The speed of a camel is gauged by its neck; thus, the moderate pace is called ‘anaq.
And its swift pace is called nass.
Since this hadith also pertains to the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada‘), Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has narrated this hadith here.

Hadith Footnote:
"Al-'unuq" means easy movement; "al-fajwah" is the gap between two things; and "al-nass" refers to swift movement. (Kirmani)

Hadith Commentary:
Thus, what is mentioned in the hadith is not a derivative of "nass" (explicit text); even someone with the slightest ability in Arabic can understand that "manas" has no relation to "nass." "Nass" is a doubled (muda‘af) word, while "manas" is defective (mu‘tall).
Now, to think that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah considered "manas" to be derived from "nass," and therefore explained its meaning here—as ‘Ayni has transmitted—is sheer misunderstanding. The reality is that in most manuscripts, this phrase does not even exist, and in those manuscripts where it is present, it can be interpreted as follows: some people, due to their limited ability, may have mistakenly thought that the root of "manas" and "nass" is the same, so Imam Bukhari rahimahullah explained the meaning of "manas" to refute this misconception.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Muzdalifah is at a distance of three miles from the plain of Arafat. After sunset at Arafat, the return to Muzdalifah takes place. Upon reaching there, both the Maghrib and Isha prayers are performed together in combination; therefore, the return from Arafat to Muzdalifah is done with haste, and this haste is due to the shortness of time. However, upon reaching the valley of Muhassir, the pace is further quickened.

(2)
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) seated Usamah (radi Allahu anhu) behind him at the time of returning from Arafat. At that time, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: O people! Proceed with calmness and tranquility; running and rushing is not a virtue. Whenever the crowd would disperse and the area would become open, the riding animal would be made to go a bit faster.

(3)
The linguistic discussion of "fajwah" is from Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah). Some people have considered the root of "nas" and "manas" to be the same, whereas "nas" is a doubled triliteral (muda‘af thulathi) and "manas" is hollow (ajwaf); its meaning is "to flee." Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has provided a linguistic explanation to dispel any misconception, so that due to their apparent similarity, they are not considered to be from the same root. (Fath al-Bari: 3/655)

1923. Commentary: The discussion of this issue among the noble Tabi‘in and the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in) is itself evidence. These personalities of the best generations were the trustworthy preservers, proponents, and practitioners of every single action of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

For details, see Hadith number: 3021.