964 — “The religion will remain firmly established until the Hour comes, or until there are twelve caliphs ruling over you, all of them from Quraysh.”

It was recorded by Muslim (6/4) and Ahmad (5/86, 87, 88, 89) through the chain of Hatim ibn Ismaʿil, from al-Muhajir ibn Mismar, from ʿAmir ibn Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas, from Jabir ibn Samurah, attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The hadith has many other chains from Jabir with similar wording; see the preceding hadith (375).

965 — “The people of the West will remain victorious until the Hour comes.”

It was narrated by Muslim (6/54), Ibn al-Aʿrabi in al-Muʿjam (The Lexicon) (31/1/112/1), al-Jurjani (424), al-Dawraqi in Musnad Saʿd (Saʿd’s Hadith Collection) (3/136/2), and Ibn Mandah in al-Maʿrifah (Knowledge) (2/179/1), on the authority of Abu ʿUthman, from Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas, attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

It should be understood that “the people of the West” in this hadith means the people of Syria, since they lie to the northwest of Medina, where the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, spoke this noble hadith. Thus, it contains great glad tidings for those among them who support the sunnah, hold fast to it, defend it, and patiently call others to it. We ask Allah Most High to make us among them and to gather us in their company beneath the banner of its bearer, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.