There is no special merit for one who dies in Makkah or al-Madinah

Question:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good. Is there any special merit for one whom Allah causes to die in Makkah or al-Madinah?

Answer:
The merit lies in righteous deeds, and no one benefits from anything other than his own deeds, whether he dies in Makkah, al-Madinah, or the farthest point of the earth. He has nothing but his righteous deeds. However, if he is upon righteous deeds and Allah causes him to die upon faith and Islam, and he is in Makkah or al-Madinah, then this is an additional merit. This is an additional merit. Yes. But one should not rely on that, thinking that whoever dies in Makkah or al-Madinah will have his sins forgiven, his mistakes expiated, and he will enter Paradise without deeds. This is a false belief. Yes.