Muzdalifah, situated between Arafat and Mina within the Haram area boundaries, serves as the sacred location for the second standing (wukuf) following the Arafat wukuf. Encompassing a vast area of 963 hectares, Muzdalifah is located 13 km away from Mecca, and its boundaries are marked with signs. During the Farewell Pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived at Muzdalifah, where, near the Kuzah Hill, he led the congregation in the combined Maghrib (evening) and Isha (night) prayers.
The name “Muzdalifah,” derived from “Izdilaf,” meaning closeness and gathering, reflects the practice of people coming together for remembrance, supplication, and the wukuf before Allah.
Muzdalifah is believed to be the place where Hz. Adam and Hz. Eve met after leaving Arafat. It is also referred to as “Cem” due to the collective performance of the Maghrib and Isha prayers together after the entrance of the Isha time.
Scholars suggest that the Quranic verse (Quran, 2:200), emphasizing remembrance of Allah after completing rites, may refer to Muzdalifah. There are differing opinions, with some arguing for the reference to Kuzah Hill, where Prophet Muhammad performed the wukuf. Adjacent to Kuzah Mountain at Muzdalifah stands a blessed mosque known as Masjid al-Mash’ar al-Haram (Masjid al-Adam).
Performing the wukuf at Muzdalifah is deemed obligatory, with Prophet Muhammad’s practice during the Farewell Pilgrimage serving as a model. After combining Maghrib and Isha prayers and resting until dawn, he performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer. Following this, he faced the Qibla, recited takbir and tahleel, and made supplications in accordance with Allah’s command in the verse. The wukuf continued until morning light, after which he set off for Mina. Muzdalifah is where Prophet Muhammad received glad tidings about the forgiveness of those with rights over him, and the devils were humiliated.
Prophet Muhammad repeated the forgiveness prayer for his ummah, expressing joy upon learning of its acceptance by Allah and the humiliation of the devils. According to various schools of thought, spending the night at Muzdalifah from sunset to Fajr on the day of Eid is recommended, commendable, or desirable. Staying for a specific period and performing the wukuf is considered obligatory according to these schools.
According to the Hanafi school, the time for the wukuf starts with the true dawn of Eid al-Adha and ends with sunrise. Performing the wukuf before true dawn or after sunrise is not considered valid according to the Hanafi school.