its inviolability in regard to hunting or cutting trees, and he has no rebuttal to the sound reports, some of which are quoted below.

7 – Numerous texts forbid killing game and cutting trees within the Medinan sanctuary. Among them is the narration recorded by Muslim (1362) from Jābir: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I have declared Medina inviolable—between its two lava fields; its trees are not to be cut, and its game is not to be hunted.”

Muslim likewise transmits on the authority of Abū Shurayḥ (1354): “No tree in it may be lopped except for fodder.” The Prophet’s declaration of Medina’s sanctity was meant to honor and exalt it; however, the rulings that apply to the Medinan sanctuary are not identical to those of the Meccan sanctuary.

8 – The scholars have pointed out several distinctions between the sanctuaries of Mecca and Medina, all of which show that punishment and liability in the Medinan sanctuary are lighter than in Mecca. Among these differences:
• If game is slaughtered or killed inside the Medinan sanctuary, its meat is lawful to eat, whereas in Mecca the carcass counts as carrion and is forbidden.
• No expiatory payment (fidyah) is required for hunting in the Medinan sanctuary, whereas killing game in Mecca necessitates compensation.
• It is permissible to take from Medina’s trees whatever necessity requires—such as hemp fiber and all implements needed for ploughing—because of the report in the Musnad of Aḥmad in which Jābir narrates that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared Medina inviolable, the people said, “Messenger of Allah, we are laborers who draw water for irrigation; grant us a concession.” He replied, “al-qāʾimatān, al-wisād, al-ʿāridah, and al-musnad may be cut, but nothing else.” This is also supported by his statement in the ḥadīth of Abū Shurayḥ: “No tree in it may be lopped except for fodder” (Muslim 1354).

Benefit:
The legacies of Abraham the Friend of Allah (peace be upon him) in blessed Mecca are many. He was:
First: the earliest to establish Mecca and settle it, when he placed his son Ishmael and Ishmael’s mother Hagar there.
Second: the one who prayed that its people be granted abundant provision and that the town become a place to which people return and a sanctuary of safety.
Third: the one who proclaimed its inviolability and greatness by the command of Allah the Exalted.