Q 1: One of the soldiers in Mina performed Hajj. On the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, he assumed Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah), and performed Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah). On the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, at noon, he stood at `Arafah and descended before 4 pm of the same day to the tents of his brothers in Muhassir Valley (a valley between Muzdalifah and Mina). He stayed with them until the next day, when he threw the Jamarat (stone pillars at which pebbles are thrown during Hajj) and shaved his hair. Is his Hajj valid or not? Please advise, may Allah reward you.

A: His Ihram on the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah is valid, but the Tawaf and Sa`y he performed are not, because he assumed Ihram inside the Haram (the Sacred Mosque). There is nothing wrong in his standing at `Arafat on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah at noon. However, descending from `Arafah before 4 pm is invalid, as he should have stayed in `Arafah until sunset. Thus, he left one of the pillars of Hajj, which necessitates that he slaughters an animal, whether a sheep, a goat, one seventh of a camel (Part No. 11; Page No. 333) or one seventh of a cow. It should be slaughtered in the Haram and its meat distributed among the poor. As he descended from `Arafah before 4 pm on the day of `Arafah and went to his brothers in Muhassir Valley, this means that he has not spent a night in Muzdalifah. Thus, he has abandoned one of the obligations of Hajj, and he should slaughter an animal, whether a sheep, a goat, one seventh of a camel or one seventh of a cow. It should be slaughtered in the Haram and distributed among the poor. His throwing pebbles and shaving hair on the day of the `Eid (Festival) is valid. The answer does not tackle the rest of the rituals of Hajj, as the questioner did not ask about them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.