I came to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) when he was in Arafat. Some people or a group of people came from Najd. They commanded someone (to ask the Prophet about hajj).
So he called the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), saying: How is the hajj done? He (the Prophet) ordered a man (to reply). He shouted loudly: The hajj, the hajj is on the day of Arafah. If anyone comes over there before the dawn prayer on the night of al-Muzdalifah, his hajj will be complete. The period of halting at Mina is three days. Then whoever hastens (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoever delays it there is no sin for him.
The narrator said: He (the Prophet) then put a man behind him on the camel. He began to proclaim this loudly.
Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by Mahran from Sufyan in a similar way. This version adds: The Hajj, the Hajj, twice. The version narrated by Yaya b. Sa'id al-Qattan has the words: The Hajj only once.
The Rites of Hajj (Kitab Al-Manasik Wa'l-Hajj) - Sunan Abi Dawud 1949
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud contains profound guidance regarding the essential rites of Hajj, particularly the standing at Arafah which constitutes the pinnacle of the pilgrimage.
The Primacy of Standing at Arafah
The Prophet's declaration "The Hajj is on the day of Arafah" establishes that the standing at Arafah is the fundamental pillar without which Hajj cannot be complete. This emphasizes that whoever misses this standing has invalidated their Hajj, while other rites may be compensated through sacrifice if omitted.
Timing and Completion of Hajj
The specification "before the dawn prayer on the night of al-Muzdalifah" indicates that the standing period extends from noon on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah until dawn of the 10th. Whoever stands during any portion of this time has fulfilled the essential requirement.
Flexibility in Mina Stay
The three-day stay at Mina refers to the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah). The permission to hasten departure after two days demonstrates Allah's mercy in facilitating ease for pilgrims, while delaying the full three days remains preferable for completeness.
Prophetic Methodology in Teaching
The Prophet's instruction to have the ruling proclaimed loudly and repeatedly, even sending a companion to announce it while riding, illustrates the importance of ensuring religious knowledge reaches all people clearly and comprehensively.