I say: This too is a strong chain, so the hadith is established as authentic, praise be to Allah.

1935 — “The believers’ stronghold is in Syria.”

It was recorded by al-Nasāʾī (2/217–218), Ibn Ḥibbān (1617), Aḥmad (4/104), Ibn Saʿd in al-Ṭabaqāt (7/427–428), al-Baghawī in Mukhtaṣar al-Muʿjam (9/130/1), al-Ḥarbī in Gharīb al-Ḥadīth (5/174/1), and al-Ṭabarānī in al-Kabīr (6357, 6358, and 6359), through al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Jurashī, from Jubayr ibn Nufayr, from Salamah ibn Nufayl al-Kindī, who said:

“I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when a man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, the people have neglected the horses and laid down their weapons, saying: There is no jihad; war has laid down its burdens.’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then turned toward him and said: ‘They are lying. Now, now the fighting has come. There will never cease to be a group from my Ummah fighting for the truth. Allah will turn the hearts of certain peoples for their benefit and provide them from them, until the Hour is established and Allah’s promise comes. Goodness is tied to the forelocks of horses until the Day of Resurrection. It has been revealed to me that I shall be taken soon, without delay, and that you will follow me in separate groups, striking one another’s necks; and the heartland ...’” To the end of the hadith.

I say: This is an authentic chain, meeting Muslim’s criteria. Al-Bazzār also narrated it in his Musnad (1689), but without the words, “striking one another’s ...,” and so forth. After the words, “... until the Day of Resurrection,” he added: “And those who keep them are aided in doing so.” He said: “We know of no one who narrated it with this wording except Salamah ibn Nufayl, and this is the best chain reported concerning it. Its narrators are well-known Syrians, apart from Ibrāhīm ibn Sulaymān al-Afṭas.”

I say: He was a reliable authority, as Duḥaym said. Al-Ṭabarānī also narrated it from him (6358).

The word adhāla means “they demeaned.” It has also been said that it means they removed the horses’ war gear and let them loose, as stated in al-Nihāyah.