ʿAsqalān is the best garrison town
Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, “The first part of this matter (i.e., Islam) is prophethood accompanied by mercy; then there will caliphates accompanied by mercy; then there will be kingdoms accompanied by mercy; then there will be emirates accompanied by mercy; then they will bite at it like donkeys (i.e., they will fight over it.) So jihād is enjoined upon you; the best jihād is guarding the frontiers, and the best garrison is the one in ʿAsqalān.'
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَوَّلُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ نُبُوَّةٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ ثُمَّ يَكُونُ خِلَافَةً وَرَحْمَةً ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُلْكًا وَرَحْمَةً ثُمَّ يَكُونُ إِمَارَةً وَرَحْمَةً ثُمَّ يَتَكادَمُونَ عَلَيْهِ تَكادُمَ الْحُمُرِ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْجِهَادِ وَإِنَّ أَفْضَلَ جهادِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ وَإِنَّ أَفْضَلَ رباطِكُمْ عَسْقَلَانُ»