Do the Hanbalis permit cutting down all trees in the Sacred Precinct of Madinah that are needed, or is permission restricted to what is mentioned in the weak hadith concerning taking only (the two uprights, the cushion, the crossbeam, and the support)?

The majority of jurists are of the view that Medina is a sanctuary (haram) like Mecca, so hunting its game and cutting its trees are forbidden, except for what is cultivated specifically for cutting. The Hanbalis, however, made an exception for what is needed for supports, cushions, beams, and similar items required by agriculturalists. Its grass is also permitted for fodder. This was allowed due to necessity, just as Idhkhir (a type of grass) was permitted for the people of Mecca.

There are differences between the sanctuary of Mecca and that of Medina: - The sanctuary of Mecca is established by text and consensus, while the sanctuary of Medina is a matter of scholarly disagreement. - Hunting within the sanctuary of Mecca incurs both sin and a penalty, whereas hunting within the sanctuary of Medina incurs sin but no penalty. - The sin of hunting within the sanctuary of Mecca is greater than that of hunting within the sanctuary of Medina. - The sanctuary of Mecca is superior to the sanctuary of Medina due to the multiplication of good deeds and sins therein. - In the sanctuary of Mecca, cutting trees is forbidden except in cases of necessity, whereas in the sanctuary of Medina, it is permissible when there is a need, such as for fodder or agricultural tools.