Among the many lands that hold significance in Islamic history, Sham stands out as one of the most revered. Known today as the region encompassing Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and parts of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Sham has been mentioned repeatedly in the Qur’an and Hadith. It is a land that was home to many prophets, a place of barakah (blessings), and a region central to the unfolding events of the Ummah.
What makes Sham so important in Islam? Why has it been given special mention in the divine scriptures? This article explores the virtues of Sham and its role in the religion of Islam.
What is Sham?
The term Sham refers to a vast area historically recognized as Greater Syria. It includes:
- Syria
- Palestine
- Lebanon
- Jordan
- Parts of Turkey (such as Antakya)
- Parts of Saudi Arabia (such as Tabuk)
Sham has been at the heart of many historical events and continues to be significant to Muslims worldwide.
Sham in the Qur’an: A Land of Barakah
One of the defining features of Sham is that Allah Himself has described it as a blessed land. In multiple places in the Qur’an, Allah ﷻ refers to Sham as a land of barakah.
1. The Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj)
One of the most well-known references to Sham is in the verse concerning the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ miraculous night journey:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
"Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:1)
Masjid Al-Aqsa, located in Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), is in Sham. The verse states that its surroundings are blessed, emphasizing that the entire region carries divine favor.
2. The Kingdom of Prophet Sulaiman ﷺ
Another verse speaks about the blessings of Sham in the time of Prophet Sulaiman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ:
وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةً تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا
"And for Sulaiman, the wind was made to flow at his command toward the land which We had blessed." (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:81)
Scholars of tafsir agree that the blessed land referred to here is Sham, where Prophet Sulaiman’s kingdom was established.
3. The Land of the Prophets
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that Sham is the land of the prophets, the land where:
- Ibrahim migrated
- Musa and Harun preached
- Dawood and Sulaiman ruled
- Isa was born and will return before the Day of Judgment
(Peace be upon them all)
This further reinforces that Sham is not an ordinary place, but one of the greatest lands chosen by Allah.
The Prophet’s ﷺ Prayers for Sham
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made special duas (supplications) for Sham, showing its importance in Islam.
1. The Prophet’s Repeated Dua for Sham
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَامِنَا، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي يَمَنِنَا
"O Allah, bless our Sham, O Allah, bless our Yemen." (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 7094)
When the Sahabah asked him to pray for Iraq, the Prophet ﷺ responded by mentioning that trials and tribulations would be widespread there, further emphasizing the superiority of Sham.
2. The Angels Protect Sham
- The Prophet ﷺ also mentioned that the angels safeguard Sham:
إِنَّ مَلَائِكَةَ الرحمن بَاسِطَةٌ أَجْنِحَتَهَا عَلَى الشَّامِ
"Indeed, the angels of the Most Merciful have spread their wings over Sham." (Musnad Ahmad: 21607)
This divine protection is unique and further highlights the status of Sham in Islam.
The Virtues of Sham in Islam
The Hadith literature is rich with narrations that highlight the virtues of Sham. Here are some key points:
1. The Strongest Believers Will Always Be in Sham
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
فَإِنَّهَا خِيرَةُ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَرْضِهِ
"For it is the best land of Allah." (Musnad Ahmad: 17005)
This indicates that Sham will always have people who uphold the truth, and it will remain a stronghold for Islam.
2. The Last Stronghold of Islam
- The Prophet ﷺ also foretold:
إِذَا فَسَدَ أَهْلُ الشَّامِ فَلَا خَيْرَ فِيكُمْ
"If the people of Sham become corrupt, then there is no good left in you." (Jami' At-Tirmidhi: 2192)
This hadith serves as a warning: the condition of Sham reflects the condition of the entire Ummah. If Sham is steadfast, Islam will remain strong. If Sham falls into corruption, it signals great trouble for the Muslim world.
Sham in the Future: A Land of Trials and Triumph
Islamic prophecies mention that Sham will witness great trials. The final battles before the Day of Judgment will occur there, as well as major events like the descent of Isa ﷺ.
Despite these tribulations, Sham will never be abandoned by Allah. The Prophet ﷺ assured:
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَكَّلَ لِي بِالشَّامِ وَأَهْلِهِ
"Indeed, Allah has taken responsibility for Sham and its people." (Musnad Ahmad: 22489)
This means that no matter what happens, Sham will always have divine protection and significance.
Sham: A Place of Legacy and Responsibility
Sham is a land unlike any other. It has been blessed by Allah, visited by prophets, and prayed for by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Its virtues are clear in the Qur’an and Sunnah, making it a place of both honor and responsibility for the Muslim Ummah.
May Allah ﷻ bless Sham and its people and keep it steadfast until the end of time.
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