Q: First: All praise is due to Allah, I consistently perform Hajj every year. In the past years, we used to stay in Mina i.e. Within the outskirts of Mina. However, in the last four years, we stayed in Hawd where we prayed the obligatory Salah (prayers). We were praying behind a resident Imam and we offered the Salah in full after him without availing of the permission to shorten it. Are we correct in our act? Is it required from us to perform the Sunnah Ratibah (supererogatory Prayer performed on a regular basis)? Should we pray the obligatory Salah behind the Imam and leave the Sunnah Ratibah, would we be required to offer expiation for that?Second: After nightfall, we take our baggage and family and enter Mina (Part No. 10; Page No. 276) to stay the night there. Often, we spend the night on roads and sidewalks while the dirty water used by the pilgrims flows near us and it is difficult for us to stay away from this impurity. Upon performing ablution, we found no place to screen us so as to attain purity. Furthermore, those having their families i.e. wives and children, with them suffer even worse circumstances. Indeed, Islam is the religion of easiness.Third: After throwing the Jamarat-ul-`Aqabah (the closest pebble-throwing area to Makkah) in the morning of the Day of Nahr (Sacrifice, 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims slaughter their sacrificial animals), we do not have our hair shaved until we arrive home. Is there any blame on me or any expiation if I cover my head with my garment to be protect it from sunstroke?Fourth: After leaving `Arafah to Al-Muzdalifah by car in the company of my family, i.e. we have our car with us, we found no way to enter Muzdalifah due to heavy traffic, but finally we spotted a place that we thought it was within the boundaries of Al-Muzdalifah. However, in the morning, we discovered that it is outside Al-Muzdalifah. What is the ruling on that? Please note that we endeavored to find a place inside Al-Muzdalifah and Allah knows best our intention.Fifth: Is it permissible for a pilgrim performing Hajj to pray the supererogatory Salah during his stay in Mina at night after having shortened the obligatory Salah?Sixth: Is the Hadith that states: "When the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah begin, then those intending to offer Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims) should not cut any of their hair or nails until they have sacrificed it..." Or, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said. Does this Hadith apply to the person performing Hajj (Part No. 10; Page No. 277) while he left one Ud-hiyah or more to his family to slaughter? Is it impermissible for him to observe any of the things mentioned after reaching the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) during the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah because he left Ud-hiyah for his people to slaughter? Please advise us on these issue. May Allah keep you safe.

A: First: It is obligatory on you to spend the night in Mina during the nights of the days of Tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) when this is possible for you. However, if this is not possible for you or you find no place to stay therein, then you may spend the night in the nearest possible place to Mina in the company of other pilgrims. Allah (Exalted be He) says: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: When I command you to do anything, do of it as much as you possibly can. Second: The first Tahalul (removal of the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) is only complete after doing two of the following three acts: Throwing Jamarat-ul-`Aqabah, having the hair shaved or cut short, or making Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Ka`bah. Thus, covering your head before the first Tahalul is impermissible so you should then pay a Fidyah (ransom), which is to fast for three days, to feed six needy persons, or to slaughter a sheep. Third: Spending the night in Muzdalifah is one of the ritual duties of Hajj for those who can do so. Whoever abandons it while he is able to observe it must offer Dam (atonement required of a pilgrim for a willful violation of a prohibition or obligation while in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah). Fourth: According to the Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet Muhammad), a traveler is to shorten the four-Rak`ah Salah praying it as two only and he is allowed to leave the Sunnah Ratibah except for the two Rak`ah before the Fajr (dawn) Salah and the Salah of Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units). That is because the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never left these two prayers i.e. before Fajr and Witr, whether he was traveling or at home. (Part No. 10; Page No. 278) As for the other supererogatory prayers that are not offered on a regular basis, a traveler may pray them as he wishes during the day and night, because the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do that. Fifth: It is authentically reported on the authority of Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: When the (first) ten (days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah) start and anyone of you intends to offer Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims), let them not cut any of their hair or clip their nails until they have offered the sacrifice. This is specifically applied to the one who is going to offer Ud-hiyah based on the Hadith above.One's wife and children are free from this duty.A person passing by the Miqat and intending to perform Hajj or `Umrah with the intention to offer Ud-hiyah, should not cut any of his hair or clip his nails. It is known that having the hair cut or clipping the nails are just an act of Sunnah for a man in ordinary time. But doing so for a person intending to offer Ud-hiyah is impermissible according to the Hadith above. So the adherence to the prohibition mentioned in the Hadith takes priority over the observance of a recommendable act.The Mutamatti` (a pilgrim performing `Umrah during the months of Hajj, followed by Hajj in the same year with a break in between), must have his hair shaved or cut short after making Tawaf and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj and `Umrah). Doing so is one of the rites of `Umrah that admit him to the state of Tahalul. It should be noted that it is more preferable for the Mutamatti` to shorten his hair leaving the shaving to be observed during the rites of Hajj.May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.