permitted to do so. Nothing in this indicates that this period marks the distinction between a traveller and a resident. Rather, an Emigrant is prohibited from remaining in Mecca for more than three days after completing the pilgrimage rites. Thus, three days constitute a period for which a concession is granted in matters otherwise prohibited in principle. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn a deceased person for more than three days, except for her husband.”

He also said:

“It is not lawful for a Muslim to shun his brother for more than three days.”

The number of divorces after which a woman becomes forbidden to her husband was likewise set at three. Once he has divorced her three times, she becomes forbidden to him until she marries another husband. This is because divorce is in principle disliked, so as much of it as need requires was permitted. Beyond that, she becomes forbidden to him until the stated condition is fulfilled.

Furthermore, if an Emigrant arrived in Mecca a month before the pilgrimage season, he could remain until that season. If he was permitted only a stay that counted as travel, then his stay until the pilgrimage season would count as travel, during which prayers would be shortened.

Moreover, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions arrived on the morning of the fourth of Dhū al-Hijjah. Had they remained in Mecca for three days after completing the pilgrimage rites, they would have been permitted to do so. Remaining for more than three days, however, would not have been permissible for them, although others were permitted to remain longer. The Emigrants stayed in Mecca with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for nearly twenty days in the year of the conquest. Their stay did not make them residents who no longer counted as travellers, nor was their stay prohibited, because they were staying in order to complete