It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Hawalah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Soon Islam will gain such dominance that there will be many armies of the Muslims; one army will be in Syria, one in Yemen, and one in Iraq. So Ibn Hawalah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah! If I am granted that era, then choose a region for me. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: You should stay in the land of Syria, you must adhere to Syria, just stay in Syria. Whoever refuses that region should go to Yemen and drink from its ponds. Indeed, Allah Almighty has guaranteed me the protection of Syria and its people.