After that, the Friend—Abraham (upon him be peace)—returned from Egypt to the Southland, the holy territory in which he had previously dwelt. He came back with abundant livestock, servants, and great wealth, accompanied by Hagar the Coptic Egyptian.

Lot (upon him be peace) then, at Abraham’s instruction, departed with his considerable riches to the Rift Valley, known as the Valley of Zughar (1). He settled in the city of Sodom (2), which lay in that region at the time. Its people were wicked, disbelieving, and arrogantly insolent.

Allah, Exalted be He, revealed to Abraham and commanded him to raise his eyes and look north, south, east, and west, promising him: “All this land I shall grant to you and to your descendants until the end of time, and I shall increase your offspring until they are as numerous as the dust of the earth.”

This glad tidings reached its most complete and magnificent fulfillment in this Muhammadan ummah, as confirmed by the Prophet’s statement (peace and blessings be upon him):

“Allah gathered the earth for me so that I saw its eastern and western horizons, and the dominion of my ummah will extend as far as that which was gathered for me.” (3)

They relate that a band of tyrants overpowered Lot (upon him be peace), took him captive, seized his wealth, and drove off his livestock. When the news reached Abraham, he marched against them with three hundred and eighteen men, rescued Lot, recovered his property, killed many of the enemies of Allah and His Messenger, routed them, and pursued them until he reached the eastern outskirts of Damascus, encamping at Barzah (4). I am of the opinion that the place called Maqām Ibrāhīm was so named because it was the encampment of the Friend’s army; Allah knows best.

Abraham then returned, divinely aided and victorious, to his homeland. The kings of the Holy Land came out to meet him in reverence, honoring and humbling themselves before him. He settled there (5). May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him.