The Prophet’s standing at ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah: Is it a matter of coincidence?

Question:
He says, may Allah preserve you: Is it not said that the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) standing at ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah was a matter of coincidence, not for the purpose of ritual observance or emulation? And likewise his entering Makkah? And therefore, it is not said to be a recommended practice (sunnah)?

Answer:
If we took this approach, there would never be any recommended practices (sunnah) at all, and we would say that these are matters of coincidence. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) says , “Take from me your rituals of Hajj.” Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says . We do not say that this is a matter of coincidence without intent; rather, we say that this is a divine law (shar‘), a law that Allah legislated through the tongue of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So we emulate him, unless there is evidence indicating that this is not part of the divine law, but rather a custom, or that it is a specific characteristic of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Otherwise, the default is that what the Messenger did, we emulate and do as he did (peace and blessings be upon him).