the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, come authentic texts censuring the east and reports “that strife and the fountainhead of disbelief come from it,” which this is not the place to discuss. The east’s superiority over them was due solely to the presence of the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Alī, and that was a temporary circumstance. Thus, after ‘Alī was gone, such strife, hypocrisy, apostasy, and religious innovations appeared among them as demonstrate that the others were superior.

Likewise, there is no doubt that among their individual scholars and righteous people are those superior to many of the people of Syria. Thus, ‘Alī, Ibn Mas‘ūd, ‘Ammār, Hudhayfah, and others like them were superior to most of the Companions in Syria. Yet comparing groups as a whole and preferring one does not preclude the other group from possessing a particular advantage.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, distinguished the people of Syria by their continual upholding of Allah’s command until the end of time, and by the victorious group remaining among them until the end of time. This foretells a lasting, continuous state among them, together with their numbers and strength. No Islamic land other than Syria possesses this distinction. For in the Hijaz—the birthplace of faith—knowledge, faith, victory, and jihad have diminished in later times, as they have in Yemen, Iraq, and the east. As for Syria, knowledge and faith have always remained there, along with those who fight for that faith, granted victory and support at all times. Such is the case, and Allah knows best.

This demonstrates the superiority of the Syrian group in certain respects, even though ‘Alī had a greater claim