It is narrated from Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to dig the trench. During the digging, a rock appeared at a certain spot where the pickaxes would not work. The noble Companions complained about it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) came, and Sayyiduna ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) says,“I think Sayyiduna Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) also stated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came and put his garment aside and went towards the rock. He (peace and blessings be upon him) took the pickaxe, recited ‘Bismillah’, and struck it hard; one third of the rock broke off. He (peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed loudly: ‘Allahu Akbar! The keys of Syria have been given to me. By Allah! At this moment, from this very place, I am seeing the red palaces of Syria.’ Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited ‘Bismillah’ again and struck the pickaxe again; another third of the rock broke off. He (peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed loudly: ‘Allahu Akbar! The keys of Persia have been given to me. By Allah! At this moment, from this very place, I am seeing Mada’in and its white palace.’ Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited ‘Bismillah’ and struck the pickaxe for the third time, and the remaining rock shattered into pieces. He (peace and blessings be upon him) proclaimed loudly: ‘Allahu Akbar! The keys of Yemen have been given to me, and at this moment, from this very place, I am seeing the gates of Sana’a.’