Abu Shuraih, Al-`Adawi said that he had said to `Amr bin Sa`id when he was sending the troops to
Mecca (to fight `Abdullah bin Az-Zubair), "O Chief! Allow me to tell you what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said
on the day following the Conquest of Mecca. My ears heard that and my heart understood it
thoroughly and I saw with my own eyes the Prophet (ﷺ) when he, after Glorifying and Praising Allah,
started saying, 'Allah, not the people, made Mecca a sanctuary, so anybody who has belief in Allah
and the Last Day should neither shed blood in it, nor should he cut down its trees. If anybody tells
(argues) that fighting in it is permissible on the basis that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did fight in Mecca, say to
him, 'Allah allowed His Apostle and did not allow you.' "Allah allowed me only for a few hours on
that day (of the conquest) and today its sanctity is valid as it was before. So, those who are present
should inform those who are absent (concerning this fact." Abu Shuraih was asked, "What did `Amr
reply?" He said, (`Amr said) 'O Abu Shuraih! I know better than you in this respect Mecca does not
give protection to a sinner, a murderer or a thief."
Narrated by Narrated Sa`id bin Abu Sa`id Al-Maqburi:
Context
Abu Shuraih recounts the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) message after the conquest of Mecca, emphasizing that the sanctity of the city is divinely ordained. He warned against violence and destruction, reinforcing the idea that Mecca remains a sacred place for all believers.
Modern Application
This hadith highlights the importance of maintaining peace and respect in sacred spaces. In today's context, it encourages individuals to uphold the sanctity of religious sites and to promote harmony among communities.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) guidance on respecting the sanctity of Mecca.
They ask you about the sacred month - about fighting therein. Say, "Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing." And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire, they will abide therein eternally.
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
This hadith is #1764 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Penalty of Hunting while on Pilgrimage. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Sa`id bin Abu Sa`id Al-Maqburi:.