showing kindness to pilgrims by providing them with water. For this reason, Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “I would rather spend one night on guard in Allah’s cause than spend the Night of Decree in prayer beside the Black Stone.” Thus, guarding the frontiers is superior to residing in Mecca and Medina, and using the spear and bow at the frontiers is superior to voluntary prayer. In towns far from the enemy, however, it is comparable to voluntary prayer.

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said:

“In Paradise there are a hundred ranks which Allah has prepared for those who strive in His cause. The distance between one rank and the next is like the distance between heaven and earth.”

Each of these activities has its appropriate setting, in which it is superior to the others: the sword when in direct contact with the enemy, spear-thrusting when drawing near, and archery when the enemy is distant or when there is an intervening barrier, such as a river, a fortress, or the like. Whatever inflicts greater harm on the enemy and brings greater benefit to the Muslims is superior. This varies according to the enemy’s circumstances and those of the Muslims fighting against them. In some situations, archery is more useful; in others, spear-thrusting is more useful. This is something combatants know.