Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and His Messenger ﷺhave explained what is permissible for the pilgrim to partake in, and what is prohibited to him. And all this has been transmitted to us by the noble Companions (ras). In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood (ra) reports that they were with the Prophet ﷺin a cave near Minaa; which indicates that they were in the state of Ihraam. Minaa is a valley near the Sacred Precinct of Makkah that the pilgrims descend into, in order to remain there on the eighth day of Thooo al-Hijjah (i.e., the first day of Hajj) and throw their pebbles at the three pillars (the jamaraat) there on the three days after ‘Eid (i.e., the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of Thoo al-Hijjah). And while Ibn Mas’ood was with him, the surah al-Mursalaat was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. He (ra) related that he heard and learned it directly from the Prophet’s ﷺ mouth while his ﷺ mouth was still moist, and his ﷺ saliva had not dried out. This is a metaphor for how fast they learned immediately right after they heard him ﷺreciting, and without any delay or hesitation. Suddenly, a snake descended upon them unexpectedly and sprang towards them. Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺurged them to kill it. In another narration transmitted in Saheeh Muslim, it is reported: “that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered a person who has assumed Ihraam to kill a snake near Minaa.” This confirms that they were wearing the garments that are worn when one is in a state of Ihraam. Upon hearing the order of the Prophet ﷺ, they hastened towards it - in compliance with the Messenger of Allah’s ﷺ command - so that they could kill it. But they were not able to seize it, and the snake was able to escape. The Prophet ﷺsaid to them that it was shielded from your viciousness, as you had been safeguarded from its. That is to say that: Allah preserved it from you all, just as He preserved you all from it. And it was not harmed by you, just as you were not harmed by it. In this moment, the Prophet ﷺwas amicable in his speech and had removed whatever came to their minds; because there is no doubt that when the Companions (ras) hastened towards the serpent, and it slipped past them; something came to their minds and blamed themselves, thinking: “How did we not notice it, then do what the Prophet ﷺhad commanded us?! Thereupon, he ﷺexplained to them that it was shielded from your viciousness, and you too have been safeguarded from its viciousness. This hadeeth explains the time and place when surah al-Mursalaat was revealed. It highlights the permissibility of the one in Ihraam removing anything which poses a harm to himself or those around him. And lastly, it shows the permissibility of killing a snake in the Holy Sanctuary..