what is right and forbidding what is wrong, such that, were he to move from there to a land of faith and obedience, his good deeds would diminish and he would no longer be striving in Allah’s cause, even though his heart would be more at ease. The same applies if moving would deprive him of the good he used to do in places of wickedness and religious innovation. For this reason, residing at the frontiers with the intention of keeping guard in the cause of Allah Most High is preferable to residing near the three mosques, by scholarly agreement.

Jihad, as a category of deeds, is superior to Hajj, as Allah Most High says:

“Do you regard providing water for pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in Allah’s cause? They are not equal in Allah’s sight, and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”

“Those who believe, emigrate, and strive in Allah’s cause”—to the end of the verse.

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, ‘Which deeds are best?’ He replied, ‘Faith in Allah and His Messenger, and jihad in His cause.’ He was asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied, ‘An accepted Hajj.’”

The same applies if a person is unable to emigrate and move to a better place where obedience would be easier for him, while his obedience to Allah and His Messenger is the same in both places, but more arduous where he is. When two acts of obedience are equal, the more arduous of them is superior.

This was the argument advanced by those who had emigrated to Abyssinia and lived among the disbelievers against someone who claimed to be superior to them. They said: “We were among hostile strangers, while you were with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who taught those of you who lacked knowledge and fed your hungry. We endured that for Allah’s sake.”