Is it permissible for the pilgrim to sit for only a few moments in Muzdalifah and then leave without staying overnight due to the crowds? Is that considered staying overnight?

The questioner : There is a completion of the question from my side.

The Shaykh : Please go ahead.

The questioner : Regarding the current situation, especially in the present conditions where there is severe crowding, and when returning from 'Arafah, many people do not stay overnight in Muzdalifah. So, is merely standing in Muzdalifah for a few moments or a short period considered staying overnight, or is it upon them...

The Shaykh : Staying overnight can be said to be obligatory, whereas the pillar is the Fajr prayer in congregation. Therefore, if a pilgrim does not stay overnight but prays Fajr there, his Hajj is complete and he has fulfilled his obligations. However, I want to draw your attention to the fact that these pilgrims are actually performing Hajj while not distinguishing between a pillar and an obligation or a fard. "Give me your hand and walk." On this basis, I say that if a person is first understanding of the legal ruling and knowledgeable in it, and it is as if nothing prevented him from performing one of those pillars, and he has come to all the pillars, if such a person is prevented from performing one of these pillars, I say a word that I believe I have not said before, I do not know if it is because the occasion did not arise or because the Merciful One did not inspire me with such an answer. The following is: Starting from this verse and from some texts branching from this verse, such as his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): So we know for certain that standing in the obligatory prayer is a pillar, yet the prayer of the one unable to perform this pillar is not invalidated, but rather he is lowered to a second stage, and it was said: Similarly, the one who cannot pray sitting does not have his prayer invalidated, but rather he is ordered to pray lying down, and this is, in our view, the last stage of ability regarding prayer. So he is ordered to stand, and that is a pillar; if he cannot, he is ordered to sit, and that is a pillar in place of the first; if he cannot, he is ordered to lie down. This hadith and its like are numerous; they are a derivation from the verse or the saying of the Exalted: and the like. So now, a man who intends to pray Fajr in Muzdalifah, believing that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said so and so, but is prevented from doing so, let him pray Fajr in the place closest to Muzdalifah. It is clear.
Al-Halabi : May Allah reward you with good, O our Shaykh. You have relieved the distress of many people.

The Shaykh : What Allah willed.
Al-Halabi : Yes, by Allah

The Shaykh : But I do not think so.
Al-Halabi : No, I, praise be to Allah, stayed overnight and prayed by the grace of Allah.

The Shaykh : No, I do not think so, because I hope you will note my condition.
Al-Halabi : The condition is correct, yes.

The Shaykh : If you have noted it.
Al-Halabi : Yes, I noted it, O our Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Then may Allah reward you with good.
Al-Halabi : Because even our brothers, O our Shaykh, some of our careful brothers were prevented this year; the police came and prevented them from descending, even from touching the ground.

The Shaykh : It is understood. That is why I brought this detail. But I distinguish between the one whose concern is to pray Fajr there and the one whose mind is wandering, who goes to Mina and stons the pillars, and the matter is done.
Al-Halabi : Correct, correct. May Allah reward you with good.