Why is the masjid in Mecca called as “Masjid-al-Haram”? Normally the word “haram” is used to things that a Muslim should not do.
Answer
(Fatwa: 987/D=142/K=1432)
The word of haram is derived from hurmah which means to be forbidden i.e. things are necessary to be fulfilled and going against it is forbidden (haram). It also means ‘sacred thing’ whose desecration is forbidden (haram). It is also translated with ‘respectful object’; hence, the sense applies to Masjid-e-Haram, i.e. respectful, sanctum whose desecration is haram.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband