Do the pigeons of Madeenah bid farewell to the Ka’bah before they die?
Question I heard one of the pilgrims who visited the House of Allaah say that any pigeon of Madeenah, when the time of its death approaches, flies to Makkah and soars above the Ka’bah as a farewell, then it dies after flying a few miles away. Is this true or not? Praise be to Allah….
Question
Praise be to Allah.
There is nothing special about
the pigeons of Madeenah or Makkah , and they are no different from any
other pigeons, apart from the fact that it is haraam to hunt them or
disturb them when one is in ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah or not, so long
as one is within the haram (sanctuary) of Makkah or Madeenah. If one
goes outside the limits of the sanctuary, then it is permissible to
hunt them for those who are not in ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah, because
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O
you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in a state of Ihraam
[for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage)]…”
[al-Maa’idah 5:95]
— and because the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has made Makkah a
sanctuary and fighting in it has not been made lawful for anybody before
me or after me, except for one hour of one day [i.e., on the day of
the Conquest of Makkah – Translator]. Its thorns shall not be cut, its
trees shall not be chopped down, and its animals shall not be disturbed…”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari).
And he (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary and I have
made Madeenah a sanctuary, the area between its two tracts of black
stones. Its trees should not be cut down and its animals should not
be hunted.” (Narrated by Muslim).
Whoever claims that the pigeons of Madeenah fly to
Makkah when the time of their death approaches and fly over the Ka’bah
is an ignorant person who is making a claim that has no basis of truth.
No one knows when any creature will die except Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
“… and
no person [lit. no soul] knows in what land he will die…”
[Luqmaan 31:34]
Bidding farewell to the Ka’bah is only done by doing
Tawaaf al-Wadaa’ (Farewell
Tawaaf) when one has performed Hajj or ‘Umrah. The claim that pigeons
know when they will die and that they bid farewell to the Ka’bah by
flying over it is a false claim, which no one would dare to say but
an ignorant person who fabricates lies against Allaah and His slaves.
And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah
bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant
them peace.
