The pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah

 

Is there anything special about the pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah?

 

Praise
be to Allaah.

There is nothing special
about the pigeons of Makkah or the pigeons of Madeenah, apart from the fact
that they may not be hunted or disturbed so long as they are within the
boundaries of the sanctuary, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth:
“Allaah had made Makkah sacred, and (fighting therein) was not permitted to
anyone before me and will not be permitted to anyone after me. It was only
permitted to me for a brief time on one day. Its shrubs are not to be
uprooted, its trees are not to be cut down, and its game is not to be
disturbed.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1349). And he SAWS (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary,
and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, whatever is between its two lava
fields [?]; its trees are not to be cut down and its game is not to be
hunted.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1360).