Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/164

 144 Mecca. I heard him with my two ears, and my heart remembered it, and my two eyes saw it. When he spake he glorified and praised God, and then said, "Verily God has made Mecca sacred, and it is not man who has made it sacred, therefore it is not lawful for a man who believes in God and the last day to shed blood therein, or to cut down trees therein. And if any one seeks a concession to do so by virtue of the fighting of the Apostle of God therein, then say to him, 'Verily God gave permission to His Apostle, but has not given you permission.' He only gave me permission (to fight) in it for one hour of the day. And its sanctity has remained to-day what it was yesterday. Then let those present inform those who are absent." Then it was said to Abú Shuraih, "What did ʿAmru say to thee." He replied, "He said, I know that better than thou, O Abú Shuraih. Verily the sacred land (of Mecca) does not offer a refuge to rebels, or to those that flee after shedding blood, or to those who flee after destroying property."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Saʿd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily I have made sacred all that lies between the two strong plains of Madína, that its trees be not cut nor its game killed." And he said, "Madína is best for them, if they had but known. No one takes leave of it willingly, but God brings to it in exchange one who' is better than he; and no one remains constant in the midst of its hardships and afflictions, but I shall be an intercessor or witness on his behalf on the day of resurrection."'—Muslim.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The people, when they saw the first fruits, used to bring them to the Prophet; and when he took them he used to say, "O God, bless us in our fruits, and bless us in our city, and bless us in filling up (the grain measures) ṣáʾa and mudda. O God, verily Abraham was Thy servant and Thy friend and Thy Prophet. And I am Thy servant and Thy Prophet. And he prayed to Thee for Mecca, and I pray to Thee for Madína like as he prayed for Mecca, and a (second) equal portion with it." After that (Abú Hurairah) said, he used to call the smallest boy of his household and give him the fruit.'—Muslim.