Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states: “As for spending the night at Muzdalifah, Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding it. Then, is it obligatory for the one performing the Hajj to spend the night at it? Or is it just a place where one combines Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers and remains there for a period, which some scholars — such as the Hanbali jurists — determine to be half of the night? Other scholars, like the Maliki jurists, say that it is just a place and that one does not have to stay at it except for the time needed to pray Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers combined and to eat some food, and after this there is nothing wrong for one to continue his advancement.
I believe that the Maliki School of Fiqh, on this issue, makes the task easier. In fact, if we consider the great number of pilgrims, we would incline to the easier view. If we do not accept these sayings that make things easy, then we would overburden the people.
This is why I stand with the opinion of the Maliki School, that the person performing the Hajj does not have to remain in Muzdalifah except for the time needed to pray Maghrib and `Isha’ combined and to eat his food. Therefore, dear brother, you do not have to pay expiation.”