The evidence that this is obligatory is the Prophet’s statement: “The people of Madinah enter ihram …” (1). This is a declarative statement intended as a command. Evidence that it carries the force of a command is the Prophet’s statement, as narrated by Ibn Umar: “The Messenger of Allah assigned Dhu al-Hulayfah to the people of Madinah.” (2)

His statement, “and remaining at Arafah until sunset”: this is the second of the obligations of Hajj—remaining at Arafah until sunset. That is, if one arrives at Arafah during the daytime, one must remain there until the sun sets. Accordingly, it is not permissible for a person to leave Arafah before sunset, because remaining there until the sun has set is obligatory.

Some scholars maintained that remaining until sunset is not obligatory, citing the hadith of Urwah ibn Mudarris, in which the Prophet said: “Whoever stood at Arafah before that, by night or by day, has completed his Hajj.” (3) Thus, whoever stands there during the day and departs before sunset falls under this ruling pronounced by the Prophet—that he has completed his Hajj and fulfilled his rites. However, the correct view is that remaining at Arafah until sunset is obligatory, for the following evidences:

First: the Prophet remained there until sunset (4), even though departing during the day would have been easier for the people. Had he departed during the day, daylight would have aided the people in their travel; but if he departed after sunset, darkness would fall, and—