(203) “Remember Allah during the appointed days. Whoever hastens to leave after two days incurs no sin, and whoever delays incurs no sin—for whoever fears Allah. Fear Allah, and know that to Him you will be gathered.”
Allah, Most High, commands that He be remembered during the appointed days, namely the three Days of Tashrīq following the Day of Eid. This is because of their merit and distinction, because the remaining Hajj rites are performed during them, and because people are Allah’s guests during these days. Fasting on them is therefore prohibited. Remembering Allah during them possesses a special merit not found at other times. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
Remembering Allah during them includes remembering Him when stoning the Jamarāt and when slaughtering the sacrificial animals, as well as the prescribed takbīr (proclamation of Allah’s greatness) following the obligatory prayers. Indeed, some scholars have stated that unrestricted takbīr is recommended during these days, just as it is during the first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah. This view is not far-fetched.
“Whoever hastens to leave after two days”—that is, leaves Minā and departs from it before sunset on the second day—“incurs no sin, and whoever delays” by spending the night there before the third day and stoning the Jamarāt the following day “incurs no sin.” This is a concession from Allah, Most High, to His servants, permitting both courses of action. It is well known, however, that when both are permissible, delaying is preferable because it entails more worship.
Since the declaration that there is no blame might be understood as removing blame both regarding the matter mentioned and in other matters as well, the point is that blame is removed from both the person who departs early and the one who delays. However, Allah qualified this by saying, “for whoever fears Allah”—that is, whoever fears Allah in all his affairs and throughout the circumstances of Hajj. Whoever fears Allah in everything will be free of blame in everything, whereas whoever fears Him in some matters but not in others will be recompensed in accordance with his deeds.
“Fear Allah” by obeying His commands and avoiding disobedience to Him, “and know that to Him you will be gathered,” whereupon He will recompense you for your deeds. Whoever fears Him will find with Him the reward of fearing Him, while whoever does not fear Him will be subjected to the severest punishment. Knowing that one will be recompensed is among the greatest incentives to fear Allah. For this reason, Allah, Most High, urges people to know this.