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As for travelling to Ascalon in these times, it is not prescribed—neither obligatory nor recommended. However, residing in Ascalon and travelling there once had merit, when it was a Muslim frontier post where guards were stationed in Allah’s cause. It is authentically reported in Sahīh Muslim, from Salmān, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Guarding the frontier for a day and a night in Allah’s cause is better than fasting for a month and spending its nights in prayer. Whoever dies guarding the frontier dies fighting in Allah’s cause; the reward for his deeds continues, his provision from Paradise continues, and he is safe from the one who tests him in the grave.”

Abū Hurayrah said: “I would rather guard the frontier for one night in Allah’s cause than spend the Night of Decree in prayer beside the Black Stone.”

People of goodness and religious devotion used to travel to the Muslim frontier posts to stand guard there: the frontier posts of Syria, such as Ascalon, Acre, Tarsus, Mount Lebanon and elsewhere; those of Egypt, such as Alexandria and elsewhere; and those of Iraq, such as Abadan and elsewhere.

Those places that have fallen into ruin and no longer contain dwellings, such as Ascalon, are no longer frontier posts, nor is there any merit in travelling to them. Likewise, travelling to Mount Lebanon and similar mountains is not recommended. There is no righteous person there who follows the law of Islam. Rather, there are many jinn there; these are the “men of the unseen” who are sometimes seen in these places. Allah Most High says:

“And there were men from among