What is permissible to take from the trees and vegetation of the Haram of Medina?
Chapter on What the Muhrim Must Avoid and What is Permissible for Him
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is permissible to take what is needed from the trees of the Haram of Medina for support (musaned), cushions (wasa'id), and saddles (rahil). Similarly, it is permissible to take what is needed of its grass for fodder. This is established by the narration of Imam Ahmad from Jabir ibn Abdullah, where the Prophet (PBUH), upon designating Medina as Haram, allowed specific items after the Companions explained their need due to their agricultural labor: the two upright posts (al-qa'imatan), the cushion (al-wasadah), the crossbar (al-'aridha), and the support (al-musnad). Anything beyond that is not to be felled or broken off. Another narration from Ali, transmitted from the Prophet (PBUH), states that the city is sacred between 'A'ir and Thawr, and its vegetation is not to be cleared (yakhtala khalaha), nor its game frightened, nor any tree cut down, unless it is to feed a man's camel. Jabir also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said regarding the protected area of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "It is not to be struck or felled, but rather shaken gently (yuhashu hashshan rafiqan)". These permissions are granted because Medina is close to cultivated trees and crops, and prohibiting the gathering of fodder when needed would lead to harm, unlike the case in Mecca.
Supporting text
The term 'al-musnad' is explained as the rod for the spindle of a spinning wheel (marwad al-bakra) according to Isma'il ibn Abi Ayyash from Kharijah. This specific allowance is likened to the exception made for the Ithkhir grass in Mecca.