You stated that if the pilgrim intends to hasten on the twelfth day and the stoning pillars are crowded, and he waits until the crowd thins, then he may hasten even if he stones the pillars after sunset.

The questioner : A female questioner says, "May your excellence...The Shaykh : I mentioned in the previous session, may Allah guide you, that if the pilgrim intends to hasten on the twelfth day and the stoning pillars are crowded, and he waits until the crowd thins, then he may hasten even if he stones the pillars after sunset. So, O Shaykh: Is it obligatory for him to be at the stoning pillars waiting, or is it if he is at his tent? And what if the crowd does not thin until after the night prayer? I hope you will mention a criterion by which we may be guided regarding this matter?

The Shaykh : Yes. It is obligatory for him to proceed to the stoning pillars and seize the opportunity. It has reached me from some people that in the afternoon of the twelfth day, the stoning area is light, because most of those who hasten have finished, and those who delay come at night. A person told me, saying: I usually stone after the afternoon prayer, and I am hastening, and I find it light. The reason is reasonable. So I say: proceed, meaning: load your luggage and proceed to the stoning pillars. Whenever you find an opportunity, stone and then descend to Makkah, even if you suppose that you do not find the opportunity until after the sun sets or after the time for the night prayer enters, there is no blame on you. Whenever you find the opportunity, stone, even if it is after midnight, and then descend to Makkah. Yes.