al-Baqara 2:203 — No sin on the one who hastens, none on the one who stays

"Remember God in counted days. Whoever hastens on in two days, no sin upon him; whoever stays behind, no sin upon him either — for one who guards himself."

The same sentence twice, for two opposite choices: فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ … فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ.

Both options end with an equal ruling. The verse holds neither side superior; it leaves the choice to the person. And the condition is at the end: لِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ — what is decisive is not how many days one stays but in what state one stays.

This is the measure seen throughout the section on the pilgrimage: duration, place and form are regulated; but no extra burden is laid, and where a field of choice is left, both options are counted legitimate.