Is all of Makkah an endowment (waqf) that cannot be sold or rented out?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: Is all of Makkah an endowment that cannot be utilized or rented out?

Answer:
That would mean the actions of the Muslims are invalid. The Muslims today are building, renting, living in, and selling. Is this invalid? It is not invalid. Makkah is owned, sold, and bought. There is nothing wrong with this. It is the opinion of al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) who holds that it is equal among the people, as for the sacred sites: Mina, 'Arafah, and al-Masjid al-Haram.
The place of sa'y (walking between al-Safa and al-Marwah); these are not permissible for anyone to own. As for what is other than the sacred sites, Makkah has been owned since the time of the Companions. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So there is no doubt in its ownership.