The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I know their names, their fathers’ names, and the colors of their horses. On that day, they will be the finest horsemen on the face of the earth—or among the finest horsemen on the face of the earth.” (1)
This battle will take place in Syria near the end of time, before the appearance of the Dajjāl, as the hadiths indicate. The Muslims’ victory over the Romans will prepare the way for the conquest of Constantinople. In the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The Hour will not be established until the Romans encamp at al-A‘māq (2) or Dābiq (3). An army composed of the best people on earth at that time will march out from Medina to meet them. When the two armies form their battle lines, the Romans will say, ‘Stand aside and let us fight those among you who took captives from us.’ The Muslims will reply, ‘No, by Allah! We will not leave you to fight our brothers.’ They will then fight them. A third will flee in defeat, and Allah will never forgive them; another third will be slain, becoming the finest martyrs in Allah’s sight; and the remaining third will be victorious and will never be put to trial. They will then conquer Constantinople. While they are dividing the spoils, having hung their swords on the olive trees, Satan will cry out among them, ‘The Dajjāl has appeared among your families!’ They will set out, but the report will be false. When they reach Syria, he will emerge. While they are preparing