It has been said: it means their resting places without qualification. It has also been said: the places in which they stay and to which they return. And it has been said: the places where they kneel down after returning from water, or while waiting for water. These are three interpretations. The correct view is that it includes the places in which camels stay and to which they return, such as their enclosures, whether these are constructed with walls, enclosed by a fence or trees, or the like. It likewise includes the places where they gather after returning from water.
If camels habitually kneel down in a particular place, then—even if it is not a permanent place for them—it is regarded as a camel resting-place. As for a place where camels happened to kneel down temporarily and then moved on, this does not fall under camel resting-places, because it is not truly a resting-place.
The evidence is the Prophet’s statement: “Pray in sheep pens, but do not pray in camel resting-places.” (1) The hadith is recorded in al-Sahih. The basis for this is