Q: A man lives in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and rarely sets out on a journey to Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy Al-Sharif (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah). He claims that offering Salah (Prayer) in Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) is better than offering it in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy. So, how should he leave what is most superior to what is less superior? Is his claim right?

A: Undertaking a journey to visit Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy is an act of Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) whose doer will be rewarded but there is no punishment for not doing it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not set out on a journey except to three Masjids (mosques): Al-Masjid Al-Haram, this Masjid of mine (Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy in Madinah), and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem). (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)Offering Salah in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy is greatly rewarded. However, offering Salah in Al-Masjid Al-Haram is much better for it was reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in (Part No. 5; Page No. 187) their Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: One Salah in my Masjid is a thousand times more excellent than a Salah in any other Masjid, except Al-Masjid Al-Haram. To stay in Makkah and leave visiting Al-Madinah is not wrong on the part of the man in question, for he regards it sufficient to do what is most superior rather than what is less superior and to get double rewards. Offering Salah in Al-Masjid Al-Haram is multiplied to a hundred thousand Salahs elsewhere. Shaykh Al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, said in his Fatawa (vol. 27, P. 325): "The Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars) agrees that Al-Masjid Al-Haram is the best Masjid and that offering Salah in it equals a hundred thousand Salahs elsewhere." It is reported by Ahmad, Al-Nasa'y, and others through a good Sanad (chain of narrators) with this wording: A Salah in Al-Masjid Al-Haram is better than a hundred thousand Salahs elsewhere. Similarly, Al-Bayhaqy and Ibn Majah reported a similar narration.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.