the scholars are unanimously agreed that there is no sacred precinct except for the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque—though there is a difference of opinion concerning the Prophet’s Mosque—and a valley in Ta’if known as Wajj Valley, concerning which there is also a difference of opinion. Apart from these three places, none is a sacred precinct by consensus.
As for the Prophet’s Mosque, the multiplication of reward is specific to the mosque—that is, the well-known structure itself. However, whatever has been added to it is considered part of it. The evidence for this is that the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—prayed in the extension added by Uthman—may Allah be pleased with him—even though it lay outside the mosque as it stood during the lifetime of the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.
As for the Sacred Mosque, the scholars differ as to whether what is meant by the Sacred Mosque is the entire sacred precinct, or the specific mosque in which the Ka‘bah stands.
The author of al-Furu‘ says: The apparent meaning of the statements of our companions—that is, the Hanbalis—is that it is restricted to the mosque containing the Ka‘bah alone; as for the rest of the sacred precinct, this virtue is not established for it.
Some scholars said that this virtue applies to the entire sacred precinct, and each side has evidence for its position. Those who hold that it is restricted to the mosque containing the Ka‘bah cite the following:
- The Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—said: “A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers offered elsewhere, except the Mosque of the Ka‘bah.” (1) We do not know of any mosque in Mecca