Is it permissible for the pilgrim to descend from Arafat after the Asr prayer, or must he remain there throughout the day, knowing that one scholar is of the view that whoever issues a fatwa allowing descent is mistaken and has no proof?

The time for standing at Arafat begins, according to the majority of scholars, from the sun's zenith on the Day of Arafat and extends until the dawn of the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm an-Nahr). The Hanbalis, however, hold that it begins from the dawn of the Day of Arafat. Standing (at Arafat) is a pillar of Hajj by consensus.

Whoever stands (at Arafat) by night or by day has completed their Hajj. And whoever stands only by night, without the day, their Hajj is complete, and no compensatory sacrifice (dam) is required of them, according to the majority of scholars, in contrast to the Malikis. And whoever stands only by day, without the night, their Hajj is valid according to the majority of scholars, even if they differ on whether a compensatory sacrifice is required of them. Some scholars favored that it is not required, citing the Hadith of Urwah ibn Mudarris al-Ta'i as evidence.

It is safer not to depart from Arafat until after sunset.