all this land became a land of Islam, so he said:

“There is no migration after the conquest.”

A land’s being a land of disbelief, a land of faith, or a land of sinful people is not an inherent attribute of it. Rather, it is a contingent attribute determined by its inhabitants. Any land inhabited by believers who fear Allah is, at that time, the land of Allah’s allies. Any land inhabited by disbelievers is, at that time, a land of disbelief. Any land inhabited by sinful people is, at that time, a land of sin. If people other than those we have mentioned settle there, replacing its former inhabitants, it becomes their land.

Likewise, if a mosque is converted into a tavern, becomes a place of sin or oppression, or becomes a church in which partners are associated with Allah, its status is determined by its occupants. Similarly, if a place of drinking, sin, or the like is made into a mosque in which Allah, the Majestic and Mighty, is worshipped, its status changes accordingly. Likewise, a righteous man may become sinful, a disbeliever may become a believer, or a believer may become a disbeliever, and so forth. In each case, the status changes as circumstances shift from one state to another. Allah Most High has said:

“Allah presents the example of a town that was safe and secure.”

The verse was revealed concerning Mecca when it was a land of disbelief, although Mecca itself remained the best of Allah’s lands and the most beloved of them to Him. The reference was only to its inhabitants.

Al-Tirmidhī narrated a report traced back to the Prophet, stating that he addressed Mecca while standing at al-Hazwarah:

“By Allah, you are the best of Allah’s lands and the most beloved of Allah’s lands to Allah. Had my people not driven me out of you, I would not have left.”

Another version reads:

“The best of Allah’s lands and the most beloved of Allah’s lands to me.”

Thus he made clear that it is the land most beloved to Allah and His Messenger. Yet his residence in Medina and that of