Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam in Muzdalifah
Fatwa No: 91178

Question

Where is Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam in Muzdalifah? I did Hajj and I never went to a place so called (I think). What is the status of such a Hajj?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Allaah Says (what means): {But when you depart from 'Arafat, remember Allaah at Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam.}[Quran 2:198].  The scholars differed in opinion in regard to the meaning of Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam.  Some of them are of the view that it refers to the entire Muzdalifah.  Ibn Qudaamah said: 'Al-Muzdalifah has three names: Muzdalifah, Jam' and Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam.'  Some other scholars are of the view that it refers to a mountain in Muzdalifah called Quzah.  'Ataa',  interpreted {Al-Mash'ar Al-Haraam} to mean Quzah, the entire Muzdalifah.  The mountain of Quzah is a mountain which used to be in Muzdalifah, and it was removed and the mosque, which is in Muzdalifah now, was built in its place.

Anyway, it is not an obligation to stay at this mountain or at this mosque, rather it is sufficient to stay in any place within the boundaries of Muzdalifah.  The evidence is that the Prophet stood in Muzdalifah and said: "I stood here, and the entire Muzdalifah is a place to stand in". [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa'ee, and Al-Albaani classified it as authentic].

Allaah Knows best. 

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