The Ruling on Stoning the Pillars and Departing Early After Sunset

Question:
The brother Abu 'Abdullah sent questions regarding Hajj. He says: Last year, O Shaykh, I stoned the first pillar on the twelfth day, then the sun set. I stoned the middle pillar and the large pillar after sunset and left Mina intending to depart early. Is my action correct?

Answer:
Your action is not correct, because departing early must be before sunset on the night of the thirteenth, by stoning the pillars after the midday prayer or after the afternoon prayer, then leaving Mina and exiting. Departing early has two conditions. The first condition is that you stone the pillars before leaving. And after, after, after the sun has passed its zenith.
The second condition is that you exit Mina and leave it before sunset, and by this you depart early. If the sun sets on you and you have not left Mina, then it is not permissible for you to depart early. Likewise, if the sun sets on you and you have not stoned the pillars, or have not completed stoning the pillars as you mentioned, then you are required to stay overnight on the night of the thirteenth and stone the pillars on the thirteenth day after the midday prayer, then leave Mina. This is staying late. Yes.