Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and His Messenger ﷺhave explained what is permissible for the person who is in the state of Ihraam to partake in, and what is prohibited to him. And all this has been transmitted to us by the noble and renowned Companions (ras). In this hadeeth, The Prophet ﷺ states that there are five types of animals which are permissible for the one in Ihraam to kill in the Sanctuary of Makkah, and there is no sin, interdiction, or punishment for doing so. Although it is understood that the ruling which has been mentioned in this narration restricts it to five, it does not really let us know what that limitation encompasses, despite alluding to the number of animals which have been restricted. It is possible that the Prophet ﷺsaid it (i.e., the ruling itself) first, and afterwards indicated that only five take part in the legal ruling. These five types of animals have been mentioned in another narration reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. And they are: The crow, which is a black bird that is well known, and it pecks at the backs and eyes of camels, and steals people’s food. The kite, which is a type of bird that snatches people’s food away. The mouse, and what is intended here are house mice, which are vermin that cause damage, spread disease, and the like. The scorpion, which is a small insect that has eight legs, and its eyes are on its back. It can sting and cause great pain, and some of its stings have proven fatal. And the mordacious dog, which is any canine that frightens, wounds, and aggressively attacks people. So, for these five types, there is no sin acquired by the person who is in the state of Ihraam if they were to kill them within the Sanctuary of Makkah, and permission has been given to kill them because they can bring harm or injury to the people. He ﷺmentioned the rabid dog in order to warn the people of what harm it may cause to the body with regard to an encounter and struggle with the animal. The mordacious dog is any canine which frantically tears up its prey; and for this reason, a dog is called a kalb in Arabic - since in the Arabic language, the root letters k - l - b oftentimes connote the meaning of something or someone being ravenous, rabid, crazy, or frenzied, which are prominent characteristics of a rabid dog. And he ﷺ mentioned the scorpion in order to warn the people of what harm could happen to the body were it to be stung by it unexpectedly. Likewise, he ﷺ mentioned the kite and crow, which often lurk out in the open and clearly visible, as a means to warn others about the unanticipated damage or loss that could occur to one’s possessions. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned the mouse to warn against what damage and harm they cause to property, which oftentimes occurs out of sight. Or, it was todraw one’s attention to every type of animal which is closest to it in likeness, in order to serve as a warning against those kinds of animals that are above it with respect to harm or injury, while simultaneously indicating whatever creatures that may be similar to it. So, his wording concerning the kite and crow is also a warning against the falcon and the like. And for the mouse, it acts as an admonition against other vermin that causes harm. Similarly, for the scorpion, a warning against the snake. And lastly, for the rabid dog, a caution against predatory animals which are abovethem in severity and peril..