Let me tell you something. O Commander, which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said on the day following, the Conquest which my ears heard and my heart has retained, and my eyes saw as he spoke it. He praised Allah and extolled Him and then said: Allah, not men, has made Mecca sacred; so it is not permissible for any person believing in Allah and the Last Day to shed blood in it, or lop a tree in it. If anyone seeks a concession on the basis of fighting of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), tell him that Allah permitted His Messenger, but not you, and He gave him permission only for an hour on one day, and its sacredness was restored on the very day like that of yesterday. Let him who is present convey the information to him who is absent. It was said to Abu Shuraih: What did Amr say to you? He said: I am better informed of that than you, Abu Shuraih, but the sacred territory does not grant protection to one who is disobedient, or one who runs away after shedding blood, or one who runs away after committing
Narrated by Abu Shuraih al-'Adawi reported that he said to Amr b. Sa'id when he was sending troops to Mecca:
Context
This hadith recounts a significant statement made by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding the sanctity of Mecca. It emphasizes that the sacredness of the city is divinely ordained and that believers must respect this sanctity. The Prophet's words serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to divine commandments and the consequences of disobedience in sacred spaces.
Modern Application
In modern contexts, this principle can be applied to the respect and preservation of sacred sites. Individuals are encouraged to recognize the cultural and spiritual significance of such places and to act responsibly in their preservation.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Decree, Hospitality in Islam, and Punishments (Hudud) because it addresses the divine sanctity of Mecca and the consequences of violating its sacredness.
[Say, O Muhammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah]
That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement,
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].
Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, standing for the people and [has sanctified] the sacred months and the sacrificial animals and the garlands [by which they are identified]. That is so you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth and that Allah is Knowing of all things.
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.
This hadith is #3182 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Pilgrimage. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Shuraih al-'Adawi reported that he said to Amr b. Sa'id when he was sending troops to Mecca:.