Nafl prayers after Dhuhr and Asr prayers Q – Is it permissible for the one performing Haj to perform Nafl (supererogatory) prayers after having offered Dhuhr and Asr prayers with the Imaam on the Day of Arafat (9 Dhul-Hijjah) until the time of sunset? A – The Messenger (peace be upoon him) did not perform any Nafl prayers on the Day of Arafat after praying Dhuhr and Asr combined at the time of Dhuhr. If it was ordained then he would have been more careful about performing them than us, and good and all good is in adhering to following his Sunnah. – The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa; Fatawa – volume 11, page 212. Visiting the “Seven Mosques” in Madina Q – What is the ruling regarding visiting the “Seven Mosques” or Masjid Al-Ghamaamah or other places that some of the pilgrims visit? A – We (previously) mentioned that only the following five places should be visited: 1) The Prophet's Mosque. 2) His grave, and the graves of his two companions (Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them). The three graves are all in one place. 3) Al-Baqi (graveyard) wherein is the grave of Uthmaan Bin Affaan (may Allah be pleased with him). 4) The martyrs of (the battle of) Uhud, and amongst them the grave of Hamzah Bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him); 5) The Quba Mosque. Any place other than these should not be visited. What you mention of the “Seven Mosques” or other than these (which you did not mention), then visiting all of these has no basis. Visiting them with the intention as a form of worshipping Allah the Almighty is an innovation. This is because (visiting) these have not been mentioned on the authority of the Prophet (peace be upoon him) and it is not permissible for anyone to fix a time, place or action if done intending to draw close to Allah (as a form of worship), except with evidences from the Shariah. – Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen; Al-Bid'u Wal-Muhdathaat – page 400. Leaving the sacrifice Q – What is the ruling about someone who slaughters his sacrifice and then leaves it, is this rewarded or not? A – The one who slaughters his sacrifice must make sure it reaches those who are rightfully in need and it is not permissible to slaughter it and then leave it. However, if one were to take a little from it and eat it and give (the remainder) in charity, then this is rewarded. – Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen; Fatawa Al-Haj Wal-Umrah Waz-Ziyaarah – page 124 Day of Arafat on Friday Q – Some people say that if the Day of Arafat (9 Dhul-Hijjah) falls on a Friday, then it is as if someone has performed Haj seven times (i.e. he is rewarded as having done so). Is there any evidence from the Sunnah regarding this? A – There is no authentic evidence regarding this. (However), some people (also) believe this equates to (having performed) Haj 70 times or 72 times, and this is also incorrect. – The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Verdicts; Fatawa
