It is narrated from Shurayh bin Ubaid that the Commander of the Faithful, Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was in Iraq, and the people began to mention the people of Syria in his presence. The people said: O Commander of the Faithful! Curse them. He said: No, no, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say that in Syria there will be forty men who will attain the rank of Abdal. When one of them dies, Allah Almighty will bring another in his place. Through them, rain will be sought, and through them, help will be sought against the enemy, and because of them, punishment will be averted from the people of Syria.