Desk Report:The land of today’s Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the whole of Palestine was called ‘Mulke Sham’ in ancient times. Sham is basically the land of the prophets and messengers. Its virtues have been mentioned in several places in the Quran and Hadith. In one verse, Allah Almighty says, ‘And We gave inheritance to those who were considered weak, the eastern and western parts of this land, which We have blessed.’ (Surah: Al-A’raf, verse: 137)
In another verse, Allah Almighty says about its blessings, “Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. We have blessed the surroundings of it, that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”(Surah: Bani Israel, verse: 1)
All commentators agree that the “holy land” and “blessed land” in the above verse refer to the land of Syria.
And in the verse, some say that by blessing, here is meant worldly blessings. For example, this holy land will always be filled with abundant food, fruits, rivers, grains, and abundance of sustenance. Others say that by blessing, here is meant being blessed with the blessings of the world. Because many prophets and messengers have lived here, and it is here that angels have descended to them with heavenly revelation.
However, the correct view is that there are blessings from both the worldly and spiritual sides here. It is mentioned in the Hadith Sharif that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for Sham and said, ‘O Allah, bless our land of Sham and Yemen.’ (Bukhari, Ha: 1037)
Apart from that, Allah Almighty has bestowed many honors on this blessed land. Some of the notable ones are as follows:
Sham will be the land of the ResurrectionImam Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir and Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said that Sham is the land of the Resurrection. The first Resurrection took place when the Jews were expelled from Sham for the first time.
And the second time, there will be the place of the gathering for all mankind. It is narrated in the Hadith Sharif that Hakim bin Muawiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “There you will be gathered.” There you will be gathered. There you will be gathered. Then the people will be divided into three groups: those who are riding, those who are on foot, and those who are facing downwards.” Ibn Bukair (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “There you will be gathered.” He was referring to the land of Sham. (Musnad Ahmad: 33/214)
Angels spread their wings over this land
Angels spread their wings over Syria, which further enhances the greatness of this land. Zayd bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said, I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, “Good luck to Syria, welcome to Syria!” I said, “Why to Syria?” He replied, “Angels spread their wings over Syria.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3954)
Allah has taken charge of Sham and its people
It was narrated from Ibn Hawala (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Islam will soon spread widely, when three armies will be formed for Jihad: the Syrian army, the Yemeni army and the Iraqi army. Ibn Hawala (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah, if I reach that time, which army do you think is best for me to join? He said: You must join the Syrian army. For then this place will be considered the best in the sight of Allah. Allah will gather His righteous servants here. And if you do not agree to go to Syria, then you must join the Yemeni army. Draw water from your own wells and your wells. For Allah, the Most High, has taken charge of the sustenance of Syria and its people on my behalf. (Abu Dawud, Hadith: 2483)
The base of the Quran and Islam will be in Syria
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: I saw (in a vision or dream) that the Book of Allah was taken from under my pillow. Then I saw clearly that it was transformed into a bright light, the source of which was from Syria. Know that when the fitnah spreads, faith will remain in Syria, and the strong base of the Book of Allah and Islam will also remain there. And the people of Syria will remain steadfast in its protection.
(Mustarke Hakim: 5/712-113)
The group supported by Allah will remain in Syria
The group of victorious people mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will remain in Syria. Muawiyah ibn Qurra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: When the people of Syria become corrupt, there will be no good for you. But a group of my Ummah will always be helped (victorious). Those who want to humiliate them will not be able to harm them until the Day of Judgment. (Tirmidhi, 2192)
In another hadith, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The people of the West will always be victorious over the truth until the Day of Judgment. (Muslim, Hadith: 4852)
Imam Nawawi explained the people of the West as Arabs or the people of Syria. (Mukhtasar al-Sharh Muslim: 5/185)
Imam Ahmad and Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be pleased with them) supported this view.
The Prophet’s Advice to Stay in Syria
The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised his followers to stay in Syria. It was narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Before the Day of Judgment, fire will come out of the sea or area of Hadramaut and gather people together in one place. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What is your advice to us then?” He said: “Then we will seize the land of Syria.”
(Musnad Ahmad: 9/145)
The best place to live is Syria
The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised Syria and called it the best place to live. It was narrated from Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “On the day of battle, the Muslims will camp in a city called ‘Ghuta’, which is located next to Damascus, the best city in Syria. (Abu Dawud, Hadith: 4298)
The place of descent of Prophet Jesus before the Day of Judgment will be Sham
The place of descent of Jesus ibn Maryam (peace be upon him) is Sham. It was narrated from Nawas ibn Sam’an (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah will send Jesus ibn Maryam. He will descend on the eastern side of Damascus, wearing a pair of clothes of the colors of purple and saffron, on the shining minaret. (Muslim, Hadith: 7263)
The enemy of Allah, Dajjal, will be killed in Sham
Dajjal will be killed in Sham. In a Hadith, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “When the Muslim army prepares for war and begins to stand in rows, it will be time for prayer. Then Jesus (PBUH) will descend and lead them in prayer. The enemy of Allah (Dajjal) will be disturbed as soon as he sees him, just as salt dissolves in water. If Jesus (PBUH) leaves him alone, he will also dissolve and perish. However, Allah will kill him at the hands of Jesus (PBUH) and show them his blood on the spear of Jesus (PBUH). (Muslim, Hadith: 7170)
The Home of the True Believers is Sham
The home of the true believers is the holy land of Sham. Salama bin Nufail (RA) said, “The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Know! The source of the believers’ abode will be Syria.
(Musnad Ahmad: 28/165)
Syria will be safe and free from fitnah before the Day of Judgment
Syria will be safe and free from fitnah before the Day of Judgment. Imam Ibn Athir (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “The source of Islam will be Syria.” It is as if the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was referring to the era of fitnah. That is, Syria will still be safe and the Muslims will be free from fitnah there.
(An-Nihaya fi Gharibeel, Hadith: 3/271)
