Wuquf at al-Mash'ar

The wuqūf (presence) in al-Mashʿar al-Ḥarām is the third obligatory rite of hajj. One should go from ʿArafāt towards al-Mashʿar al-Ḥarām and stay there which is a very famous and well-known place. Issue 389: Wuqūf (presence) at Mashʿar is amongst deeds of worship which should be accompanied by intention with the same conditions as mentioned regarding the intention of iḥrām. Issue 390: The time for obligatory wuqūf starts from time of fajr until sunrise of 10th of Dhul-Ḥijjah. However, on the basis of caution, one should make intention of wuqūf from the time of entry in Mashʿar, i.e. after departure from the land of ʿArafāt. Issue 391: It is obligatory to stay at Mashʿar from fajr to sunrise. However, the fundamental element is implementation of stay even if it would be for a span of two minutes. Then if a person stay there only for the essential time period (of two minutes) and does not stay there the remaining period purposely, his/her hajj would be valid. However he/she has committed a ḥarām act. But if he/she does not stay at least to the extent to fit the definition of stay (wuqūf) purposely, his/her hajj would be void. Issue 392: Women, children, the disabled and old people who are excused due to fear of crowd or illness along with the people responsible for their care and protection i.e. nurse, servants etc. may make their presence short at night before Eid ul-Adha in Mashʿar and leave for Minā. Point to Remember! Neglecting one of the two stays at Mashʿar and ʿArafāt or both of them by choice or compulsorily, on purpose or inadvertently, or forgetfully, etc. hold many viewpoints in terms of validity and invalidity.