Short answer
No, not wild ones. Cutting or uprooting trees and grass that grow by themselves in the Haram is forbidden for everyone, in ihram or not. In the Hanafi school the penalty is the plant's value given to the poor. Idhkhir grass, dry plants and crops that people plant are allowed.
Plants of the Haram that grow by themselves and are green may not be cut or pulled up. Whoever does must give their value in charity; fasting does not replace it. Exceptions: idhkhir, dead or dry plants, and plants of a kind people grow, such as crops. Grazing animals on Haram grass is not allowed in the relied-upon view.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The trees and game of Madinah's Haram are also forbidden, though without a set penalty in the relied-upon view.
- Hanbali
- Madinah also has a Haram whose trees and game are forbidden.
- Maliki
- Madinah also has a Haram whose trees and game are forbidden, with no set penalty.
Explanation
On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ declared it sacred until the Day of Judgement: its thorn trees are not to be cut, its game is not to be chased, and its fresh grass is not to be pulled. Al-Abbas asked for idhkhir to be excepted, as people used it for their smiths and houses, and he excepted it.
- Who: everyone in the Haram, residents included, not only pilgrims.
- Penalty (Hanafi): the value of what was cut, given as sadaqah. Fasting is not accepted for it.
- Allowed: idhkhir, dead wood and dry grass, mushrooms, and anything of the type people plant.
- Walking over grass: no penalty for what is crushed in normal walking or driving.
- Miswak: do not cut a twig from an arak tree inside the Haram. Bring your own.
Madinah: the Hanafi school holds that Madinah is sacred and honoured, but its trees and game do not carry the Makkan penalties. The other schools hold that Madinah has a Haram where cutting trees and hunting are forbidden. Out of respect, a visitor should avoid both there as well. For animals in ihram, see killing insects in ihram.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:97
فِيهِ ءَايَٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾
In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
The Haram is a place of safety.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1834
Sahih... لا يعضد شوكه ولا ينفر صيده ...
"Its thorn trees are not cut and its game is not chased."
The plants and game of the Haram are protected.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-jinayat, on the trees of the Haram. Their value is owed, fasting is not accepted, and the exceptions.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-jinayat. Grazing animals on Haram grass, and Madinah's ruling.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj, on the Haram of Madinah. The Shafi'i view on Madinah's Haram.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.