the valley through which floodwaters flow is generally sandy and impedes those who travel through it; hence it is called Muhassir. From this we know that there are valleys between the ritual sites.

Between the sacred ritual site and the non-sacred ritual site lies a valley: the Valley of Uranah. And between the two sacred ritual sites—Mina and Muzdalifah—lies a valley: the Valley of Muhassir.

The scholars differed regarding the reason for hastening through it. Some said: He hastened because the bed of the valley is soft, and one needs to urge one’s camel on, since a camel walks faster on firm ground than on soft ground. He therefore urged it on so that its pace on firm ground would match its pace on soft ground. According to this view, the consideration here is solely the benefit of travel.

Others said: He hastened because Allah destroyed the Companions of the Elephant there. Thus, one should hasten through it, for when a person passes through lands where punishment descended, it is prescribed for him to hasten, as the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, did when he passed through the dwellings of Thamud during the expedition to Tabuk: he urged on his she-camel, covered his head, and hastened. Yet some people today make these places—the dwellings of Thamud, that is—sites for tourism and recreation, and we seek Allah’s protection, even though the Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, hastened through them and said: “Do not enter upon these people who were punished unless you are weeping, lest there befall you what befell them.” (1)

There is great danger in what they do, for if a person enters upon them in this state