to pause and say, “Let them worship the Lord of this House,” and then say, “Who fed them.” For if you joined the phrases and said, “the Lord of this House Who fed them,” the listener might think that “Who” describes the House. That is far removed from the intended meaning and does not yield a coherent sense.
“Who fed them against hunger and granted them safety from fear.” Allah made clear His blessing upon them, both outward and inward. Feeding them against hunger protects them from destruction through something inward—namely, the food they consume. “And granted them safety from fear” refers to protection from fear in outward circumstances, for fear is outwardly apparent: when a land is surrounded by an enemy, its people become afraid, refrain from going out, and remain in their shelters. Allah therefore reminded them of this blessing: “and granted them safety from fear.”
The safest place on earth is Mecca. Its trees may therefore not be cut down, its grass may not be harvested, its lost property may not be picked up, its game may not be hunted, and no blood may be shed there. These distinctive characteristics are not found elsewhere—not even in Medina. Medina is sacred and has a sanctuary, but the inviolability of its sanctuary is far below that of Mecca. A Muslim who has never visited the Meccan Sanctuary before may not enter it except in ihrām. Medina is not like that. Cutting any grass or trees in the Meccan Sanctuary is forbidden without exception, whereas permission has been granted to cut some trees in the Medinan Sanctuary for cultivation and similar needs. Hunting game in the Meccan Sanctuary is forbidden and entails compensation, while hunting game in the Medinan Sanctuary entails no compensation.
Thus, Mecca is the safest place of all: even its trees are safe, and even its game animals are safe. Had Allah Most High not made matters easy for His servants, even animals not classed as game would have been forbidden. But Allah Most High had mercy upon His servants and permitted them to slaughter and sacrifice animals in this place.
Allah reminded them of this blessing in His words:
“Have they not seen that We have made a secure sanctuary, while people are snatched away all around them?” [al-Ankabūt: 67]
That is, will they not then thank Allah for this?! Thus, this entire surah reminds Quraysh of the blessings Allah bestowed upon them in this great House and through safety from—