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Is it not permissible for disbelievers to enter the Sacred Precinct (Haram) of the Prophet's City (Medina), just as it is in the Sacred Precinct (Haram) of Mecca?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The prohibition of non-Muslims entering is specific to Mecca. As for Medina, their entry is permissible, but they are not allowed to reside there, because it is part of the Arabian Peninsula, from which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered the expulsion of polytheists. As for the jurisprudential schools, they agreed on the impermissibility of non-Muslims residing and living in the Haram (sanctuary), based on the Almighty's saying: "O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this year of theirs." They differed on the permissibility of a non-Muslim temporarily passing through the Haram. Some prohibited their entry absolutely, while others permitted their entry when there is a need, with punishment for whoever enters without permission, or whoever allows them to enter.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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