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'''Balad al-Amin''' (The Secure City) is one of the Quranic names for [[Mecca]], which God swears by in [[Surah al-Tin]]. According to some Quranic verses, Prophet Ibrāhīm (a.s.) prayed to God to make Mecca a secure city. Some narrations attribute the security of Mecca to his supplication, while others consider it to have been secure since the beginning of creation.   
'''Balad al-Amin''' (The Secure City) is one of the Quranic names for [[Mecca]], which God swears by in [[Surah al-Tin]]. According to some Quranic verses, [[Abraham (a)|Prophet Ibrahim (a)]] prayed to God to make [[Mecca]] a secure city. Some narrations attribute the security of Mecca to his supplication, while others consider it to have been secure since the beginning of creation.   


Scholars differ in interpreting the meaning of the security of the Haram. Some consider it to be a **creational security**, meaning protection from natural disasters and safety from killing and hostility. Others view the **security of the Haram** as **legislative**, referring to the sanctity and inviolability of Mecca through specific rulings, such as the prohibition of harming pilgrims, animals, cutting trees, and other acts, which ensure the safety of plants, animals, and humans. Some Shia narrations also interpret "Balad al-Amīn" as referring to the [[Prophet (s)]] and the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.)]], as faith in them ensures safety from misguidance.   
Scholars differ in interpreting the meaning of the security of the Haram. Some consider it to be a **creational security**, meaning protection from natural disasters and safety from killing and hostility. Others view the **security of the Haram** as **legislative**, referring to the sanctity and inviolability of Mecca through specific rulings, such as the prohibition of harming pilgrims, animals, cutting trees, and other acts, which ensure the safety of plants, animals, and humans. Some Shia narrations also interpret "Balad al-Amīn" as referring to the [[Prophet (s)]] and the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]], as faith in them ensures safety from misguidance.   


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
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In most interpretive and historical sources of Muslims, the term "Balad al-Amīn" is considered one of the names and characteristics of the city of Mecca.<ref>Akḥbār Makka, al-Fākihī, vol. 2, p. 281; Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 1, p. 387; al-ʿIqd al-Thamīn, vol. 1, p. 35.</ref> "Balad al-Amīn" is a combination of two words: "Balad" and "Amīn." "Balad" refers to a city or land.<ref>Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, p. 328, under "Balad."</ref> "Amīn" is derived from the root "Amn," which means safety and tranquility,<ref>Al-ʿAyn, vol. 8, p. 388; Mufradāt, vol. 1, p. 90; Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, p. 150, under "Amn."</ref> or "Āmin," meaning a place of security.<ref>Al-Tibyān, vol. 10, p. 376; Taḥṣīl al-Marām, p. 562; Al-Taḥrīr wa al-Tanwīr, vol. 1, p. 695.</ref> Thus, "Balad al-Amīn" means a city of security, tranquility, and freedom from fear and terror.<ref>Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, pp. 150–151.</ref>   
In most interpretive and historical sources of Muslims, the term "Balad al-Amīn" is considered one of the names and characteristics of the city of Mecca.<ref>Akḥbār Makka, al-Fākihī, vol. 2, p. 281; Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 1, p. 387; al-ʿIqd al-Thamīn, vol. 1, p. 35.</ref> "Balad al-Amīn" is a combination of two words: "Balad" and "Amīn." "Balad" refers to a city or land.<ref>Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, p. 328, under "Balad."</ref> "Amīn" is derived from the root "Amn," which means safety and tranquility,<ref>Al-ʿAyn, vol. 8, p. 388; Mufradāt, vol. 1, p. 90; Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, p. 150, under "Amn."</ref> or "Āmin," meaning a place of security.<ref>Al-Tibyān, vol. 10, p. 376; Taḥṣīl al-Marām, p. 562; Al-Taḥrīr wa al-Tanwīr, vol. 1, p. 695.</ref> Thus, "Balad al-Amīn" means a city of security, tranquility, and freedom from fear and terror.<ref>Al-Taḥqīq, vol. 1, pp. 150–151.</ref>   


==Balad al-Amīn in the Quran==
==Balad al-Amin in the Quran==


The first reference to the term "Balad al-Amīn" comes from verse 3 of [[Surah al-Tin]], which was revealed in the early years of the Prophet’s mission:<ref>See: Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 10, pp. 612–613; An Introduction to the Dating of the Quran, pp. 303–307.</ref>   
The first reference to the term "Balad al-Amīn" comes from verse 3 of [[Surah al-Tin]], which was revealed in the early years of the Prophet’s mission:<ref>See: Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 10, pp. 612–613; An Introduction to the Dating of the Quran, pp. 303–307.</ref>   
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==The Supplication of Ibrahim==
==The Supplication of Ibrahim==


In other Quranic verses, it is mentioned that [[Ibrāhīm (a.s.)]] prayed to God to make Mecca a secure city. Two verses, with slight differences in wording, refer to this supplication. Some narrations attribute the security of Mecca to this prayer,<ref>Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim, vol. 1, p. 229; Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, vol. 1, pp. 297–299; Al-Durr al-Manthūr, vol. 1, p. 121.</ref> while others consider its security to have existed since the creation of the heavens and the earth:<ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, vol. 5, p. 98; Al-Kāfī, vol. 4, pp. 225–226; Al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr, vol. 4, p. 49.</ref>   
In other Quranic verses, it is mentioned that [[Ibrahim (a)]] prayed to God to make Mecca a secure city. Two verses, with slight differences in wording, refer to this supplication. Some narrations attribute the security of Mecca to this prayer,<ref>Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim, vol. 1, p. 229; Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, vol. 1, pp. 297–299; Al-Durr al-Manthūr, vol. 1, p. 121.</ref> while others consider its security to have existed since the creation of the heavens and the earth:<ref>Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, vol. 5, p. 98; Al-Kāfī, vol. 4, pp. 225–226; Al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr, vol. 4, p. 49.</ref>   


* {{Quran|وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ|And [remember] when Ibrāhīm said, “My Lord, make this city [Mecca] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.”}} (Surah Ibrāhīm, 14:35)   
* {{verse|وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ|And [remember] when Ibrāhīm said, “My Lord, make this city [Mecca] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.”}} (Surah Ibrāhīm, 14:35)   


* {{Quran|وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ|And [remember] when Ibrāhīm said, “My Lord, make this city secure and provide its people with fruits—those among them who believe in God and the Last Day.” He [God] said, “And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a little while, then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination.”}} (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:126)   
* {{Quran|وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ|And [remember] when Ibrāhīm said, “My Lord, make this city secure and provide its people with fruits—those among them who believe in God and the Last Day.” He [God] said, “And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a little while, then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination.”}} (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:126)