that is holy.” Salmān wrote back:

“Land does not sanctify anyone; it is a person’s deeds that sanctify him.”

It is just as Salmān al-Fārisī said. Mecca—may Allah Most High protect it—is the noblest of places. Yet when Islam was a stranger, it was an abode of unbelief and war where residence was forbidden. After the emigration, the emigrants were forbidden to return there to settle. Likewise, in the time of Moses, peace be upon him, before he led the Children of Israel out, al-Shām was the abode of the polytheistic Sabians, who were tyrannical and wicked. Concerning it, Allah Most High said to the Children of Israel:

“I will show you the abode of the wicked.”

Descriptions of a land as an “abode of unbelief,” an “abode of Islam or faith,” an “abode of peace” or “war,” an “abode of obedience” or “disobedience,” or an “abode of believers” or “the wicked” are contingent, not inherent. A land may pass from one description to another, just as a person may pass from unbelief to faith and knowledge, or the reverse.

As for the excellence that endures at every time and in every place, it lies in faith and righteous deeds. As Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, those who have believed, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians—whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds—will have their reward with their Lord”—to the end of the verse.

And Allah Most High says:

“They say, ‘None will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian.’ Those are their wishes. Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you are truthful.’”

“Rather, whoever submits himself to Allah while doing good will have his reward with his Lord”—to the end of the verse.

And Allah Most High says:

“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while doing good and follows the religion of Abraham