Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) 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 and his family). He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came, and Sayyiduna ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I think that Sayyiduna Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) also stated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came and put his garment aside and went towards the rock. He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) took the pickaxe, recited“Bismillah,”and struck it forcefully; one third of the rock broke off. He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) proclaimed loudly:“Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys of Syria. By Allah! At this moment, from this very place, I am seeing the red palaces of that land.”Then he (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) again recited“Bismillah”and struck the pickaxe again, and another third of the rock broke off. He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) loudly said“Allahu Akbar!”and said:“I have been given the keys of Persia. By Allah! I am seeing Mada’in and its white palace from this very place at this moment.”Then he (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) recited“Bismillah”and struck the pickaxe a third time, and the remaining rock shattered into pieces. He (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) loudly said“Allahu Akbar!”and said:“I have been given the keys of Yemen, and at this moment, from this very place, I am seeing the gates of Sana’a.”