Q: I saw some pilgrims on the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhul-Hijjah) in the south side of the Mina Mountain cutting pieces of siwak (tooth-cleansing sticks) from the nearby Arak tree branches for the purpose of cleaning their teeth. They also proceeded to distribute some of these pieces among the pilgrims. On the eleventh day of Dhul-Hijjah i.e. the first day of Tashreeq (i.e. 11th 12th and13th of Dhul-Hijjah), I saw a man cutting down some Arak tree branches to use them as siwak. I saw another person doing the same thing at Mina. What is the ruling for cutting down trees in Mina And what is the ruling on accepting siwaks cut from the trees of Al-Haram as a present? A: It is impermissible to cut down any of the trees of Al-Haram whether it is done by a Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and Umrah) or a non-Muhrim. This is based on the words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said: Its thorns are not to be cut, and its trees are not to be chopped. Recorded by Imam Muslim. If anyone does any of this, he is to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and desist from doing it again. It is impermissible to accept sticks of Siwaks as a present, if they were cut from the trees of Al-Haram. This is because doing so would mean that the person accepting the gift consents and indirectly participates in this sin committed by the Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and Umrah). (Part No. 10; Page No. 167