the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Standing guard for a day and a night in Allah’s cause is better than fasting and praying at night for a month. Whoever dies while stationed on the frontier dies engaged in jihad; his deeds continue to accrue to his credit, his provision from Paradise continues to reach him, and he is safe from the one who puts him to trial.”

The Sunan collections report from ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Standing guard for one day in Allah’s cause is better than a thousand days spent anywhere else.”

Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “I would rather stand guard for one night in Allah’s cause than spend the Night of Decree in prayer beside the Black Stone.”

This is because guarding the frontiers is a form of jihad, whereas residing near the sacred sanctuaries is a form of ritual worship. Jihad in Allah’s cause, as a category, is superior to ritual worship, as established by Allah’s Book, the Sunnah of His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the consensus of the Muslims. As Allah Most High says:

“Do you regard providing water to 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 with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in Allah’s sight. It is they who will triumph.

Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, His pleasure, and Gardens in which they will enjoy lasting bliss,

remaining there forever. Indeed, with Allah is an immense reward.”

The virtues of jihad and guarding the frontiers are many.

For this reason, righteous believers would serve on the frontiers, as did al-Awzā‘ī, Abū Ishāq al-Fazārī, Mukhallad ibn al-Husayn, and Ibrāhīm ibn