The sound view is that the people of Mecca are like the other pilgrims, provided that they are travelers—that is, that they have left Mecca. In our time, however, anyone who considers the matter will find that Mina is a district of Mecca. Thus, the view that they should not shorten their prayers at Mina becomes stronger. At Muzdalifah and Arafah, they may avail themselves of the concessions granted to travelers, because they are traveling: they prepare for the journey of Hajj with provisions, mounts, and water. This is why the people of Mecca, along with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to shorten their prayers at Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah, and combine them at Muzdalifah and Arafah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not instruct them to offer the prayers in full. But circumstances have now changed.
Some scholars have said that shortening and combining prayers during Hajj are due not to travel, but to the rite itself. According to this view, pilgrims from Mecca shorten their prayers and combine them wherever prayers are combined. However, this view is weak. For if the reason were the rite itself, then once they had completed the second stage of release from ihram—which may take place on the Day of Eid—they would no longer be permitted to shorten their prayers at Mina. Likewise, if the reason were the rite itself, then whenever they entered ihram in Mecca for Hajj or Umrah, it would be permissible for them to combine and shorten their prayers. Thus, the view that the reason is the rite itself is very weak and does not accord with the principles of the Sacred Law.
“When the sun rises, he proceeds to Arafah, all of which is a place of standing, except the valley of Uranah.”
His statement, “When the sun rises, he proceeds to Arafah,” means that on the ninth day he proceeds to Arafah, first stopping at Namirah.
Namirah is a village near Arafah and is unquestionably not part of Arafah, for if the valley of Arafah itself is not part of Arafah, then Namirah is even farther away than the valley of Uranah.
If someone were to ask: How do you answer the hadith of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, proceeded”—that is, from Mina—“until he reached Arafah, where he found …”