Medina A Sanctuary?

Islam's unique treatment of the environment reached a climax when the city of Madinah was designated as sacred, or a sanctuary (Haram). 

According to the declaration of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), the flora and fauna of the city must be protected, not only by the general Islamic commandments encompassing the whole of earth, but also by a set of special ones meant only for it. The residents of Makkah, on the other hand, are not permitted to cut even the grass for the purpose. Unless it is for making plows, carts and other necessary tools and equipment's.

The penalty for cutting trees and killing the game in Madinah is that the perpetrator be dispossessed of what he has appropriated of the city’s ecosystem. The spoils thereupon will be handed over either to the poor of the city, or to the city’s treasury. Some scholars have gone as far as saying the perpetrator's clothes should be stripped as penalty – of course with the exception of that which covers the ‘awrah (body parts that must be properly covered in certain situations and under certain circumstances). 

The Prophet (saw) is reported to have said in the following Hadith:

Al Bukhari:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (saw) said, "Medina is a sanctuary from that place to that. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be innovated nor any sin should be committed in it, and whoever innovates in it an heresy or commits sins (bad deeds), then he will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people." 

Source: Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Pg. # 450. H. # 1867.

Thus Madinah was a sanctuary and will remain so till the end of days. One of the most pertinent implications meant to be thus presented was the fact that since the city of Madinah – together with Makkah – always occupied a special place in the hearts, minds and souls of Muslims, its ordained environmental status was likely to constitute a benchmark for the overall conduct of the Muslims towards the environment elsewhere on the face of the earth. 

However despite this, it should not come as a surprise that once again the Hanafis have taken it upon themselves to violate and flout the laws of Allah (swt).

Muhammad Amin ibn Abidin:

Medina has not sanctuary among us (i.e. Hanafis) and Mecca is superior to it according to the preferable opinion, except for the members of the Prophet (saw), because it is absolutely superior to Kabba and the Throne and Al-Kursi and the Ziyarah of his grave is recommended, rather it is said that it is Wajib for the one who has the ability.

Source: Radd al-Muhtar ala ad-Dur al-Mukhtar. Pg. # 52 - 54.