its trees—even if he is not in ihram—nor any of its wild vegetation, except idhkhir grass. Whatever people have planted or sown belongs to them. Dried vegetation may also be gathered. No game may be hunted there, even aquatic game such as fish, according to the correct view. Nor may its game be disturbed, for example by making an animal move so that one can sit in its place.

The same applies to the Sanctuary of the city of Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It lies between the city’s two lava fields. A lābah is a harrah: land covered with black stones. The Sanctuary measures one barīd by one barīd; a barīd is four parasangs. It extends from Mount ʿAyr to Mount Thawr. ʿAyr is a mountain near the miqat that resembles an ʿayr, meaning a donkey. Thawr is a mountain in the direction of Uhud, distinct from Mount Thawr in Mecca.

The game of this Sanctuary must likewise not be hunted, and its trees must not be cut except to meet a need, such as making riding equipment or agricultural implements. As much of its grass as is needed for fodder may be taken. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—permitted this for the people of Medina because they needed it: unlike the Meccan Sanctuary, their surroundings do not provide enough to spare them this need. If game is brought into this Sanctuary, one is not required to release it.

There are no sacred sanctuaries anywhere in the world other than these two—not Jerusalem or any other place. No other place should be called a sanctuary, as the ignorant do when they speak of the “Sanctuary of Jerusalem” and the “Sanctuary of Hebron.” These two places, and all others besides the two sanctuaries, are not sacred sanctuaries, by the consensus of the Muslims. The Sanctuary of Mecca is recognized by consensus. Medina also has a sanctuary according to the majority, as is widely attested