Why was the Grand Mosque called by this name, meaning "the Sacred" (Al-Haram)?
The Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram) was given this name because Allah Almighty has made Mecca sacred until the Day of Judgment. Fighting is not permitted within it, nor is startling its game, cutting its trees, or harvesting its fresh plants. This is supported by the hadith of Ibn Abbas, who narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said on the day of the conquest of Mecca: "Indeed, this city was made sacred by Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth, and it is sacred by Allah's sanctity until the Day of Judgment. Fighting in it was not made lawful for anyone before me, nor was it made lawful for me except for a short period of a day. So, it is sacred by Allah's sanctity until the Day of Judgment. Its thorny bushes are not to be cut, its game is not to be startled, its fallen items are not to be picked up except by one who announces it, and its fresh herbage is not to be cut." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then made an exception for the idhkhir plant.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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