their forefather Abraham, peace be upon him, but they had changed and distorted the manner of the rites.
2. In their pilgrimage the polytheists would remain in Muzdalifah on the morning of the Day of Sacrifice until the sun had fully risen, and only then would they proceed to Minā.
3. The Prophet ﷺ, by contrast, left Muzdalifah for Minā at first light, before sunrise.
4. It is obligatory to differ from the unbelievers, whatever their creeds may be, in their conduct, customs, and rituals. This preserves for the Muslims an independent identity and a distinct character that sets them apart, preventing them from melting into societies that follow a different path. Regrettably, many Muslims today trace their footsteps uncritically, imitating them in all things without insight.
5. The statement, “and indeed the Prophet ﷺ opposed them,” makes clear the deliberate intent to diverge from the disbelievers and avoid resembling them.
6. A survey of the sources shows that the pilgrims perform three ifāḍahs (departures):
a. From ʿArafah to Muzdalifah on the night of the Festival of Sacrifice; this is the departure referred to in the verse, “Then depart from wherever the people depart” (al-Baqarah 2:199).
b. From Muzdalifah to Minā; this is the departure mentioned in the present ḥadith: “He departed before the sun had risen.”
c. From Minā to Mecca to perform the circumambulation of the pilgrimage, known as ṭawāf al-ifāḍah; this is indicated in Jābir’s earlier report, which says, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then mounted and departed toward the House.”