Is working and residing in Mecca more virtuous in the sight of Allah than in other places, or is it more prudent to avoid working there for fear of magnifying sins committed therein?

Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on prolonged stay (mujawara) in Mecca. The majority are of the opinion that it is desirable due to the multiplication of rewards for good deeds. However, some have disliked it for fear of falling into sins, which are also multiplied. Imam al-Nawawi favored the desirability of residing in Mecca and Medina for whoever knows themselves to be far from committing evil deeds, citing the prolonged stay of many of the righteous predecessors (salaf) and successors (khalaf) of the Ummah in these two cities.