Did the Prophet’s four-day stay before Hajj occur intentionally?

Question : Now, if someone asks about the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) stay for these four days: did it happen by chance, meaning without intention, or was it intentional?

Answer : The answer is that it happened by chance, without a doubt. That is, his journey (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) coincided with his arrival on the fourth day of Dhul-Hijjah, because it is not reported from him that he said, “We will arrive on the fourth day,” or that he specified a particular day for arrival, so that we could say this arrival was intentional. Rather, it happened as it happens for a traveler who arrives a day early or a day late, as is customary.