Which is better: praying near the House or circumambulating it?

Question:
The jurists differed on which is better: praying near the House or circumambulating it. Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said that circumambulating it is better for the people of the major cities. The majority said that praying is better absolutely. The details of this and what is required in the book of rulings are to be found there. The intent behind this is to refute the polytheists who used to associate partners with Allah in parts of the lands.

Answer:
As for the one who says that circumambulation is better because it is not achieved except in Makkah, and there is nothing in this world that can be compared to the Ka'bah, for this reason Malik and the group held that increasing in circumambulation is better for them, even for the strangers who come and then leave, because they are not able to do this constantly, unlike the residents who stay in Makkah. For these residents, praying is better because the type of prayer is better than the type of circumambulation, and because of the great virtue in it. Therefore, increasing in it is more appropriate for them than increasing in circumambulation. It is prescribed for the believer to increase in both this and that, whether he is a stranger or a resident. It is prescribed for him to increase in circumambulation and prayer because of the great multiplication of reward and the abundant good in that. However, the stranger should have a greater share of circumambulation because he will not be able to achieve it in the future, unlike the resident, for whom both are required. Yes.