We have nothing except the Book of Allah and this written paper from the Prophet (wherein is written:) Medina is a sanctuary from the 'Air Mountain to such and such a place, and whoever innovates in it an heresy or commits a sin, or gives shelter to such an innovator in it will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people, none of his compulsory or optional good deeds of worship will be accepted. And the asylum (of protection) granted by any Muslim is to be secured (respected) by all the other Muslims; and whoever betrays a Muslim in this respect incurs the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people, and none of his compulsory or optional good deeds of worship will be accepted, and whoever (freed slave) befriends (take as masters) other than his manumitters without their permission incurs the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people, and none of his compulsory or optional good deeds of worship will be accepted.
Virtues of Madinah - Sahih al-Bukhari 1870
This narration from the Prophet's written decree establishes the sacred sanctuary of Madinah, delineating its boundaries from Mount 'Air to specified limits. The text carries profound legal and spiritual implications for the Muslim community.
The Sanctity of Madinah's Boundaries
The Prophet designated Madinah as a haram (sanctuary) similar to Makkah, prohibiting certain actions within its sacred precincts. This sanctification serves to protect the city's spiritual character and maintain its purity as the place of Hijrah and the establishment of the first Islamic state.
The specified boundaries create a protected zone where Islamic law is strictly enforced and where the community's religious and social fabric is preserved from corruption.
Prohibited Actions and Their Consequences
Three major prohibitions are highlighted: introducing religious innovations (bid'ah), committing sins, and sheltering innovators. These actions disrupt religious purity and community harmony.
The severe warning of divine curse and rejection of all deeds emphasizes the gravity of violating Madinah's sanctity. This demonstrates how geographical sanctity in Islam is directly tied to moral and religious conduct.
The Sanctity of Muslim Protection
The decree establishes that protection granted by one Muslim must be honored by all others, creating a unified system of security within the community. Betraying this trust constitutes a major breach of Islamic brotherhood.
This principle strengthens social cohesion and ensures that Muslims can rely on each other for protection and support, reflecting the Quranic concept of believers being brothers.
The Status of Freed Slaves
The prohibition against freed slaves forming alliances with others without their manumitter's permission preserves the walā' (clientage) relationship, which carried significant social and financial responsibilities in classical Islamic society.
This regulation maintained social stability and ensured that the rights and responsibilities established through manumission were respected, preventing exploitation and disorder within the community structure.