Book 10: The Rites of Pilgrimage

Abu Shuraih al-‘Adawi told that he said to ‘Amr b. Sa‘id when he was sending troops to Mecca (The reference is to an expedition against 'Abdallah b. az-Zubair): Let me tell you something, commander, which God’s messenger said on the day following the Conquest. My ears heard it, my heart has retained it, and my eyes saw him when he spoke it. After praising and extolling God he said, “God, not men, has made Mecca sacred, so it is not allowable for a man who believes in God and in the last day to shed blood in it, or lop a tree in it. If anyone seeks licence to do so on the ground that God’s messenger fought in it, tell him that God has given permission to His messenger but not to you. He gave him permission only during one hour on one day, and its sacredness has been restored to it like what it was yesterday. Let him who is present convey the information to him who is absent." Abu Shuraih was asked what ‘Amr had replied, and said he had replied, “I am better informed of that than you, Abu Shuraih.' The sacred territory does not give refuge to one who is disobedient, or one who flies when he has shed blood, or one who flies because of a fault (kharba).” (The word is used of a vice) Bukhari and Muslim. In Bukhari’s work kharba is said to mean a crime.

‘Ayyash b. Abu Rabi'a al-Makhzumi reported God’s messenger as saying, “This people will continue to prosper as long as they give this sacredness due respect, but when they squander that they will perish.” Ibn Majah transmitted it. Chapter 16a