What is the validity of the fatwa permitting stoning the pillars before the sun reaches its zenith due to severe congestion?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: We were on a Hajj campaign, and some students of knowledge said that some scholars had issued a fatwa permitting stoning the pillars before the sun reaches its zenith due to severe congestion. So some pilgrims were stoning before the sun reached its zenith. What is the ruling on their action?

Answer:
This is an error, contrary to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. None of them used to stone before the sun reached its zenith during the days of Tashriq. If anyone issues such a fatwa, it is an error. Every person’s statement is accepted and rejected except that of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Congestion will occur anyway. If you stone before the sun reaches its zenith, all the people who come will stone before the sun reaches its zenith, and congestion will occur; it may even be more severe afterwards, because people are hasty and want to be quick. So if they issue such a fatwa, they will rush to stone before the sun reaches its zenith, and the danger will be greater. This does not remove the danger, nor does it remove the congestion.