may be hunted, and vegetation may be cut, in whatever lies outside the Haram, even if the area is part of Mecca.

As for his statement, “blood”: the word “blood” here is used to refer to the sacrificial animal, because its blood is shed. It would have been better had the author said, “a sacrificial offering,” in order to conform to the verse. Allah says:

“And whoever performs Umrah followed by Hajj must make an offering of whatever sacrificial animal is available.” [al-Baqarah 2:196]

The conditions of the sacrificial offering are as follows:

First: It must be from the livestock animals. If one were to offer a horse, it would not suffice.

Second: It must have reached the age prescribed by Islamic law: it must be either a mature animal or a young sheep of the prescribed age. The latter is from sheep, while the former applies to goats, cattle, and camels.

The evidence for this is the hadith narrated by Muslim on the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Do not slaughter anything but a mature animal—that is, a thaniyyah—unless that is difficult for you, in which case slaughter a jadha'ah of sheep.” (1)

Thus, the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, permitted the slaughter of a jadha'ah of sheep when a mature animal is difficult to obtain. Had it not been valid, he would not have made an exception for it.

If someone were to say: “A young animal, even if it is only one month old, is sufficient, because Allah says, ‘whatever sacrificial animal is available.’ Thus, if only a small animal is available, it is sufficient.” What is our response?

The answer is that Allah says, “whatever sacrificial animal is available,” and the definite article in “the sacrificial offering” refers to the understood, legally prescribed offering—that is, one which has reached the age prescribed by Islamic law.