Prohibitions Of Haram

Prohibitions Of Haram

Matters forbidden for the pilgrim in the state of ihram have now been covered and we proceed to deal with the matters forbidden to the pilgrim and the native:

First: Hunting in the Haram is forbidden to the pilgrim and the native as stated before.

Second: Uprooting grass or cutting down trees in the Haram is forbidden. However, there is no objection if grass gets uprooted in the course of ordinary walk or letting animals feed on the grass but it is better to avoid cutting grass to feed them. There are some exceptions to the rule:

(1) Edhkher' which is a well known herb;

(2) Date palm and fruit trees;

(3) Grass or trees planted by an individual;

(4) Trees or grass growing on the premises of an individual after the purchase of the property or settling in it except that the trees that were there at the time of the purchase of the property do not fall within the exception.

If the roots of a tree are in the area of the Haram but its branches fall outside it or vice versa, it will be governed as though it were wholly within the area of the Haram.

The penalty for cutting down a tree is its value and the penalty for cutting a portion of it is the value of the portion cut off but there is no penalty for cutting grass.

Third: It is not permissible to impose the religious punishment upon a person who guilty of an act committed outside the Haram has taken refuge inside the Haram. However, people should refrain from feeding such a person or communicating with him till he has no option but to leave the Haram and submit to the punishment.

Fourth: It is highly discouraged to pick lost property within the Haram but if a person has picked it and finds no sign to recognise its owner, he may keep it for himself. As a matter of caution, however, it is recommended that he should give it in charity on behalf of its owner. If its price is more than one dirham (3.456 gms of silver) he should announce for one year that he has found it and if the owner does not claim it, then he must give it in charity on behalf of the owner.