the work of construction, or that work together with the salvaged building materials. You may not take payment for what is not yours; as for what is yours, you have already been compensated for it through your continued use of the plot.”

Alternatively, since people bring sacrificial offerings to the Meccans and are obliged to distribute them among them, the Meccans in turn are obliged to lodge people in their homes, repaying kindness with kindness. The person bringing a sacrificial offering may, for example, eat from it where this is permissible and give it to whomever he wishes, but may not take payment for it. Likewise, the owner of a house may live in it and accommodate others in it, but may not take payment for it.

This consideration we have mentioned may itself be the reason why these properties were left in their owners’ possession without any land tax being imposed upon them. Those residing in Mecca have both rights and obligations; Mecca is unlike other cities. From this perspective, its conquest by force becomes a relevant reason for prohibiting the leasing of its properties—as we have explained—not a basis for treating it like other land conquered by force.

If it is objected:

“When a territory is conquered by force, its inhabitants may likewise be granted protection for their lives and property.”

The reply is:

“Yes, before control is secured, someone who ceases fighting may be granted protection for his life and property, because of the benefit gained from his ceasing to fight. This is a conditional grant of protection. Indeed, if we permit a prisoner to be enslaved after capture when this serves the public interest, how could we not permit that before capture?”