If the deeds of the martyr or the one stationed at the frontier (murabit) do not cease with their death, and the murabit is better than one who fasts and prays (at night), then how can one who dies after the martyr surpass the martyr, even though the reward of the murabit is greater and does not cease with his martyrdom and death?

Vigilance (ribat) and martyrdom have great merit. The man who died second surpassed the first through prayer, fasting, and spending [in charity], and perhaps he sincerely wished for martyrdom. The deed of the vigilant one (murabit) does not cease with his death; rather, it continues to grow for him until the Day of Resurrection. The two emigrant men were equal in emigration and struggle (jihad), but the second surpassed the first with martyrdom, in addition to remaining a year longer than the first in emigration, and he spent his wealth, prayed, and fasted Ramadan. This makes him superior to the first in status, reward, and entering Paradise. Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him the stations of the martyrs, even if he dies in his bed.