It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Shurayh Khuzai (may Allah be pleased with him) that on the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah declared Makkah a sanctuary on the day He created the heavens and the earth; people did not declare it a sanctuary. Therefore, it will remain a sanctuary until the Day of Resurrection. It is not permissible for anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day to shed blood therein or to cut its trees. And if anyone says to you that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also fought in Makkah, then say: Allah made it lawful for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), not for you. O group of Khuza'ah! For the person whom you killed before this, I will pay his blood money, but after my standing in this place, if anyone kills someone, then the heirs of the slain will have the choice of one of two things: either to take retribution from the killer or to accept blood money."