I bought a plot of land within the boundaries of the Haram and built a structure on it, but when I started the work, I uprooted a tree from the land. Is there anything required of me in that?
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The questioner : He says, "I bought a plot of land within the boundaries of the Haram and built a structure on it, but when I started the work, I uprooted a tree from the land. Is there anything required of me in that?"
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person to cut down anything from the trees of the Haram, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that. If someone cuts down something while ignorant, then if it is possible to return the tree to its place, he should return it. If it is not possible, then he owes nothing.
What appears from the questioner's situation is that he was ignorant that this was forbidden, meaning that he knew that cutting down a tree is forbidden, but he thought that if it was in a place where he intended to build, it was permissible. In any case, I hope that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not hold this man accountable, especially since it appears that he repented to Allah and regretted what he did.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person to cut down anything from the trees of the Haram, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that. If someone cuts down something while ignorant, then if it is possible to return the tree to its place, he should return it. If it is not possible, then he owes nothing.
What appears from the questioner's situation is that he was ignorant that this was forbidden, meaning that he knew that cutting down a tree is forbidden, but he thought that if it was in a place where he intended to build, it was permissible. In any case, I hope that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not hold this man accountable, especially since it appears that he repented to Allah and regretted what he did.