, upright in faith? And Allah took Abraham as a close friend.”

Submitting oneself to Allah Most High means devoting one’s intention and deeds sincerely to Him and placing one’s trust in Him. As Allah Most High says:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

He also says:

“So worship Him and put your trust in Him.”

And Allah Most High says:

“In Him I put my trust, and to Him I turn.”

Ever since Allah established His proof against the people of the earth through the last of His messengers, Muhammad, His servant and Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—all people on earth have been obliged to believe in him, obey him, and follow his law and way.

The best of people are therefore those who know most about what he brought and follow it most closely—in knowledge, inward state, speech, and action. They are the most mindful of Allah. Whatever place or activity best helps a person achieve this aim is best for him, even if something else is best for another person. Then, if each person does what is best for him, and the good deeds and benefits he attains equal those attained by the other, the two are equal. Otherwise, whichever of them attains more in this regard is superior.

In these times, the decline and desolation of the “three mosques” with respect to knowledge and faith are such that the superiority of many people in the farthest western lands over most of their inhabitants becomes clear. One should therefore not regard the excellence of a place as an unqualified indication of the excellence of its inhabitants. Rather, everyone should be given their due. What counts, however, is a person’s excellence in faith, righteous deeds, and good speech.

Some places may nevertheless be more conducive to certain deeds, as Mecca—may Allah Most High protect it—is conducive to circumambulation, prayer whose reward is multiplied, and similar