“Whoever shoots an arrow in Allah’s cause—whether it reaches the enemy or not—will receive a reward equivalent to freeing a slave.”

In the Sunan collections, it is reported that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Allah admits three people to Paradise through a single arrow: its maker, who seeks reward through making it; the one who shoots it; and the one who supplies it.”

This is because these are acts of jihad, and jihad is the best voluntary deed a person can undertake. Voluntary jihad is superior to voluntary Hajj and other acts of worship, as Allah Most High says:

“Do you consider providing water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque equal to the deeds of one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in Allah’s cause? They are not equal before Allah, 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 before Allah. It is they who are successful.

“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 a tremendous reward.”

In the Sahīh, it is reported that a man said: “After embracing Islam, I would not mind doing no deed other than maintaining the Sacred Mosque.” ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib said: “Jihad in Allah’s cause is superior to all of this.” ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb said: “Do not raise your voices by the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Rather, when the prayer is over, I shall ask him about that.” He asked him, and Allah revealed this verse.

Thus He made clear to them that faith and jihad are superior to maintaining the Sacred Mosque, performing Hajj and ʿumrah, circumambulation, and to