Ruling on delaying entering the state of ihram until the ninth day

Question: Some pilgrims are in Makkah on the eighth day, having already exited their state of ihram, and they leave the recommended practices of the Day of Tarwiyah. They stay in their apartments until the ninth day, when they enter the state of ihram, and then they go out to 'Arafah. They justify this by saying that the actions of the Day of Tarwiyah are a recommended practice, and that Hajj is 'Arafah. What is your opinion, Your Eminence, on this action?

Answer: There is no harm in that, but the recommended practice for the pilgrim is to enter the state of ihram on the eighth day of Dhu al-Hijjah before the midday prayer and proceed to Mina. There, he should pray the midday, afternoon, sunset, night, and dawn prayers shortened, without combining them. Then, he should proceed to 'Arafah after the sun rises, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did so and ordered the Companions who had exited their state of ihram from their 'Umrah to do the same.