Proofs that the category of ribāṭ (standing guard on the frontier) is superior to the category of mujāwara (taking up residence) in the Two Sanctuaries
This demonstrates that the very act of ribāṭ is superior to the very act of residing in either of the Two Sacred Precincts, as the leading scholars unanimously maintain.
45- When a servant’s intention in each of the two deeds is purely for Allah, and when no additional meritorious work tips the scale in favor of either side, ribāṭ remains superior; for it belongs to the class of jihād, whereas residence in the Sanctuaries belongs to the class of ḥajj—and the class of jihād is superior to the class of ḥajj.2
46- For this reason Abu Hurayrah said, “To keep watch for a single night in the path of Allah is dearer to me than spending the Night of Decree in worship at the Black Stone.”3
(2) See also Ibn Taymiyya, Majmuʿ al-Fatawa, vol. 27, pp. 24, 40, 52, 142; vol. 28, pp. 5, 22.
(3) This athar is transmitted as a marfuʿ report (attributed to the Prophet) from Abu Hurayra; it was recorded by Ibn Hibban (no. 4603) and by Ibn ʿAsakir in al-Arbaʿin fi al-Jihad (no. 18) with the wording: “Keeping watch for one hour in the path of Allah is better than worship on Laylat al-Qadr beside the Black Stone.” Al-Albani declared the chain authentic in al-Silsila al-Sahiha (no. 1067). After citing this report, the author (may Allah have mercy on him) comments: “Thus, the person engaged in ribat preferred a single night of guard duty to worship on the best of nights in the noblest of places; for this reason the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions remained in Madina rather than Makka…” Majmuʿ al-Fatawa, vol. 28, p. 418.