doubt that it is one of the greatest wisdoms. Hence, some scholars said: The prohibition against praying in camel resting-places is a matter of devotional submission; that is, we do not know its underlying reason, but we worship Allah by observing it.

Which entails greater surrender and compliance: for a person to submit to a command when he does not know its wisdom, or to submit to it when he does know its wisdom? The former entails greater surrender.

Some scholars said: Rather, it is because their dung and urine are impure (1). This is based on the view that urine and dung are impure, even when they come from a pure animal. The sound view, however, is otherwise, as mentioned previously in the chapter on removing impurity (2). Yet this rationale is invalid, for if it were the reason, praying in sheepfolds would likewise not be permissible, since those who regard camel urine and dung as impure also regard sheep urine and dung as impure.

It has also been said that camels are highly skittish and may suddenly bolt while a person is praying; if they do, they may cause him harm. Even if they do not strike him, his heart will be distracted when these camels become agitated. Thus, the prohibition against praying in their resting-places is