… Continued

Fifth: As Allah The Almighty has made the House a place of return for people and a place of security, He made it obligatory for Ibraaheem and Ismaa‘eel, may Allah exalt their mention, to purify it for those who perform Tawaaf (circumambulation) and those who are staying there for worship and those who bow and prostrate in prayer. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Ibraaheem the site of the House, [saying], "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate.} [Quran 22: 25]

Those who stay there are the people who observe I‘tikaaf (staying at the Masjid for worship) and those who bow and prostrate are the people who perform prayers.

On the Day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet drew the people's attention to this and said that it is a secure sanctuary and that it is Allah The Almighty, not people, Who has made it secure and sacred on the day He created the heavens and the earth. He said: "Allah has made this town a sanctuary. Its game should not be chased, its trees should not be cut, its grasses should not be removed, blood should not be shed there and lost items should not be picked up except by one who would announce it publicly."

Just as it was obligatory upon the Prophets Ibraaheem, Ismaa‘eel as well other Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, including Muhammad to honor the House, Muslims are required to exalt and honor the Sacred House of Allah and avoid what is forbidden therein. This includes harming Muslims, and wronging or transgressing them, whether or not they are performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. It is also obligatory to purify this House for those who stay there for worship.

Sixth: Muslims are required to keep this House purified by avoiding acts of disobedience there and fearing the wrath and punishment of Allah The Almighty. They are also forbidden to harm each other or fight each other there, as even a minor sin there is considered a grave major sin. Just as good deeds are multiplied there, scholars are of the opinion that misdeeds are also multiplied. This multiplication does not occur in number; rather, it occurs in the punishment assigned to the act. The basic principle is that whoever comes with a misdeed will not be recompensed except with the like thereof. However, doing a misdeed in the Sacred House is not the same as when one does so in another place. Indeed, it is most grave and major there. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, those who have disbelieved and avert [people] from the Way of Allah and [from] Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, which We made for the people - equal are the resident therein and one from outside; and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.} [Quran 22: 25]

This means that the Sacred House is sacred for all people, the resident therein and the one coming from outside for Hajj, ‘Umrah or any other purpose.

When Allah The Almighty enabled His Prophet to conquer Makkah, he addressed the people saying: "Allah has made this town a sanctuary since the day He created the Heavens and the Earth, and it will remain a sanctuary by virtue of the sanctity of Allah, not that of people. Allah has made fighting lawful for me for just an hour of the daytime, and its sanctity has returned again as it was yesterday. Let those who are present tell those who are not. No one is permitted to shed blood there, cut a tree, hunt game or pick up a lost item except by one who makes a public announcement about it."

If game and trees are safe there, then what about the Muslim? It is even more worthy to keep the Muslim secure and safe there. It is forbidden for anyone to do anything harmful to people there, whether by word or action. Rather, one should honor these sacred places, surrender to the Sharee‘ah of Allah and honor the sacred ordinances of Allah more than at any other time. One should be kind to his fellow Muslims, hope for goodness for them, hate to see evil afflicting them, help them to do good and avoid evil and never harm anyone with either a word or a deed. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Ibraaheem.} [Quran 3: 96]

Allah The Almighty has placed clear signs in the Sacred House. Commenting on the verse, scholars said that these signs are the Station of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention. All the sacred precincts of Makkah were a standing place in which Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, worshipped Allah, including ‘Arafaat, Muzdalifah, Mina, and so on. This also includes the stone on which Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, stood while he was building the House. Muslims, therefore, are required to safeguard, protect and keep this noble sanctuary safe from any harm, out of compliance with the order of Allah and His Prophet, Muhammad .

Scholars clarified and unanimously agreed that it is obligatory to honor this House, safeguard it from any harm, protect it from all types of disobedience and injustice, make matters easy for the observers of Hajj and ‘Umrah and help them to do good and avoid evil and harm. No one is permitted to harm anyone there, with either words or deeds. Only those who are disbelievers in Allah and the Last Day, ignorant about the rulings of Allah or wrongdoers harm people in the Ancient House. Such people will be punished for their harm and wrongdoing. Those who are true believers in Allah and the Last Day, however, their belief and faith prevent them from doing what is forbidden by Allah The Almighty – whether in this sacred place or any other place. This place is indeed greater and superior than other places.

Makkah Al-Mukarramah (the honored city), is the most beloved town to Allah and the greatest place. Al-Madeenah comes next and then Al-Aqsa Mosque. These three mosques are distinguished by greater honor than any other mosque. They are the ever greatest, the best and the worthiest of honor and care than all the other Mosques of Allah.

O Pilgrim, Remember the Sanctity of the Ancient House - I