Another of its merits is that Allah has pledged to care for al-Shām and its people, as stated in the hadith of al-Khawālī. Another is that:

“The angels of the Most Merciful spread their wings over al-Shām,”

as reported in the authentic hadith narrated by Abd Allāh ibn Umar. Another is that the pillar of the Book and of Islam is in al-Shām, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“I saw what appeared to be the pillar of the Book being taken from beneath my head. I followed it with my eyes, and it was carried to al-Shām.”

Another is that it is the heartland of the believers, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“And the heartland of the believers is al-Shām.”

Another is that its hypocrites will not prevail over its believers, as Ahmad related in a hadith in al-Musnad. I cited this as evidence to some chief judges and others during times of turmoil, when people given to wickedness and religious innovation, bearing the traits of hypocrites, rose against us. When they tried to frighten us with these people, I told them of this hadith and that our hypocrites would not prevail over our believers.

These prophetic statements were fulfilled in the fullest measure in our jihad against the Tatars. Allah showed the Muslims the truth of what we had promised them and the blessings of what we had instructed them to do. It was a tremendous victory, the like of which the Muslims had not witnessed since the rise of the Tatar empire that had humiliated the people of Islam. For never had they been defeated and overcome as they were overcome