Staying the night in Al-Muzdalifah

Q: I performed the rituals of Hajj, but it happened that we were trapped in the buses while in Muzdalifah after performing `Isha' (Night) Prayer, so we could not make it to Muzdalifah because of the heavy traffic. We stayed outside Muzdalifah until the following morning which was the first day of `Eid, and we headed from there at the time of sunrise towards Mina, and as a result we did not spend the night before `Eid in Muzdalifah. I hope you give me your Fatwa regarding some questions: From where do the boundaries of Muzdalifah from the direction of `Arafah begin? Is our Hajj, according to what is said, valid? Are we obliged to pay Fidyah (ransom)? If it is incumbent upon us to pay Fidyah, could we delegate someone to slaughter a sacrificial animal on our behalf, and does this Fidyah count for us?

A: First, Muzdalifah begins westward from Muhassir Valley, and ends eastward along the beginning of the road of Ma'zamayn. This distance is estimated at seven thousand (Part No. 11; Page No. 214) seven hundred and eighty cubits and 4/7 of a cubit. Second, if the state was as you mentioned in your Hajj, then you are not obliged to slaughter a Hady (sacrificial animal offered by pilgrims) for not spending the night in Muzdalifah, because you had an excuse, and as such, your Hajj is valid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.