Al-Ribat Fi Sabil Allah

Q: What is meant by Al-Ribat Fi Sabil Allah and what is its virtue according to Allah? With all appreciation and respect.

A: Al-Ribat Fi Sabil Allah means garrisoning Muslim frontiers (i.e. Keeping a guarding army ready to defend Muslims' frontiers against enemies and against any attempts to invade Muslim countries). Many Hadith have been mentioned declaring the virtue of guarding Muslim frontiers in the cause of Allah, for it was related in Sahih (authentic book of Hadith) Al-Bukhari (may Allah be merciful to him) on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa`d Al-Sa`idy (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, To guard Muslim frontiers in Allah's Cause for one day is better than the world and everything it contains It was also narrated in Sahih Muslim (may Allah be merciful to him) on the authority of Salman Al-Farisy (Part No. 12; Page No. 33) (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Guarding the Muslim frontiers for a day and a night is better (in point of reward) than fasting for a whole month and offering Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night) every night. It was also related in Musnad (Hadith compilation) of Imam Ahmad and Sahih Ibn Hibban in addition to Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of Fadalah ibn `Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying, The deeds of every dead person come to a halt by their death except the one who is on the frontier in the cause of Allah, for their deeds will keep on growing and they will be safe from the trial of the grave. Al-Tirmidhy said that this is a Hasan Sahih Hadith (good and/or authentic Hadith).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.