The ruling on intentionally praying in al-Masjid al-Haram for the sake of virtue for one who is outside the Haram

The questioner : Does the report of what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did when he would pray in al-Zayn inside the Haram indicate that acts of worship inside the Haram are better than outside?

The Shaykh : What do you think? No, you are a student of knowledge. What do you think? All right, what do you all think?

The questioner : And yes, indeed, there is no doubt.

The Shaykh : Yes, there is no doubt, because if we did not say that, the action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) would have been in vain. What is the meaning of his intentionally moving from the place where he was staying to enter the Haram and pray in it?

The questioner : If he was in al-Malad, why did he shorten the prayer?

The Shaykh : How do we intend it? Intending means, suppose you are out on a walk and you are staying around the Haram, we say it is better to stay outside the Haram and pray inside the Haram.