Is it permissible to cut the vegetation (hashish) of the Sacred Precinct (Haram)?
Chapter on What the Muhrim Must Avoid and What is Permissible for Him
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is forbidden to cut the vegetation of the Sacred Precinct. An exception is made for the specific plant known as Idhkhir (a type of reed or grass), vegetation cultivated by humans, and dried vegetation. The evidence for this prohibition is the Prophet's saying: 'Its dry grass shall not be gathered' (la yakhtali khalaha), or in another narration, 'Its vegetation shall not be grazed upon' (la yahtash hashishaha). The exception made for Idhkhir indicates the prohibition of cutting everything else.
Supporting text
There are two scholarly opinions regarding whether it is permissible to send animals to graze (which might lead to destruction) in the Sacred Precinct. The first opinion, held by Abu Hanifa, states that grazing is not permissible because anything whose destruction is forbidden cannot be intentionally subjected to something that causes destruction, similar to hunting.