Ash-Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-Abbaad, may Allaah preserve him, said:

“It is upon the one living in Madeenah not to deceive himself (by thinking he became virtuous) by living in Madeenah – so he says, ” I am upon khair ” for indeed just living in Madeenah without performing righteous deeds, and being upright upon the obedience of Allaah and his Messenger, alaihi as salaatu was salaam, and avoiding falling into sins will not be of any benefit to him. Rather, it will harm him. It is found in Imaam Maalik’s Muwat’a that Salmaan al Faarisee, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “Indeed the [sacred] lands does not make one virtuous; rather, what makes one virtuous are his [good] deeds”. There is a incomplete transmission in its chain, but the meaning is correct; it is khabr, news that coincides with reality.” End quote. [The book (The Virtues of Madeenah), page: 33]

Translated by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr