or on which they hang rags or other things, or whose leaves they take to seek blessings through them, or beside which they pray, or do anything similar—all of this constitutes reprehensible religious innovations. These are practices of the people of pre-Islamic ignorance and among the causes of associating partners with Allah Most High. It is related:

“The polytheists had a tree on which they hung their weapons, which they called Dhāt Anwāt. Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, appoint for us a Dhāt Anwāt just as they have a Dhāt Anwāt.’ He replied, ‘Allah is Most Great! You have said what the people of Moses said to Moses: “Make for us a god just as they have gods.” These are the same old ways! You will surely follow the ways of those before you, span for span and cubit for cubit, so that even if one of them entered a lizard’s hole, you would enter it, and even if one of them had intercourse with his wife in the road, you would do the same.’”

Umar ibn al-Khattāb learned that some people were making a point of praying beside “the tree” beneath which the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had received the people’s Pledge of Divine Pleasure. He ordered that tree to be cut down, and it was cut down. The scholars of religion have agreed that if someone vows to perform an act of worship at any such place, this is not a vow that must be fulfilled, nor is there any special merit in worshipping there.

Section

The fundamental principle in this matter is that, in Islamic law, no place is to be singled out for the worship of