If the pilgrim does not ascend the mountain at Muzdalifah to make supplication, does that diminish the reward of his Hajj?

Question:
May Allah reward you. The caller, Salim 'Abd al-Rahman from Jeddah, says: Is it obligatory for the pilgrim to go to al-Mash'ar al-Haram at Muzdalifah, ascend it, face the qiblah, praise Allah, magnify Him, declare His oneness, and make supplication until the break of dawn? And if the pilgrim does not do this due to an excuse or without an excuse, does that diminish the reward of his Hajj? Please give us a ruling, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This act is recommended. It is recommended for him to go to the mountain, which is al-Mash'ar al-Haram, and to face the qiblah, and to stand at the mountain, facing the qiblah, and to supplicate to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) until the break of dawn. This is after the Fajr prayer, from after the Fajr prayer until just before the sun rises, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. And if he remains in his lodging in any place of Muzdalifah and supplicates to Allah there after Fajr, the objective is achieved and praise be to Allah. This is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding Muzdalifah: "Its standing is..." "And lift the restriction from my belly, O Restrictor, and lift the restriction from my belly, O Restrictor."
So wherever in Muzdalifah he prays Fajr, and then supplicates until just before the sun rises, he has performed the sunnah. As for going to the mountain and supplicating there, that is more complete and better if it is facilitated. Yes.