come until you fight a people whose sandals are made of hair, and until you fight the Turks—small-eyed, red-faced, and snub-nosed (1), with faces like shields covered in leather.” (2)

‘Amr ibn Taghlib reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) say: “Among the signs of the Hour is that you will fight a broad-faced people whose faces are like shields covered in leather.” (3)

The Muslims have fought the Turks since the era of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This began early in the Umayyad caliphate, during the reign of Mu‘āwiya (may Allah be pleased with him).

Abū Ya‘lā narrated from Mu‘āwiya ibn Khudayj, who said: I was with Mu‘āwiya ibn Abī Sufyān when a letter arrived from one of his governors reporting that he had encountered the Turks and defeated them, and telling him how many of them had been killed and how much booty had been taken. Mu‘āwiya became angry at this and then ordered that the following reply be written to him: “I understand from your report how many you killed and how much booty you took. Do not let me hear that you have ever done such a thing again, and do not fight them until my command reaches you.” I asked, “Why, O Commander of the Faithful?” He replied: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) say:

“The Turks will assuredly prevail over the Arabs until they drive them back to the lands where wormwood grows (4)