Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
The glad tidings given by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) were proven absolutely true: for a long period, Madinah remained the capital of Iran, Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Turan, and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (khulafa’ al-rashidun) governed distant regions of the world while residing in Madinah al-Munawwarah. Later, the Umayyads (Banu Umayyah) designated Syria (Sham) as their capital, and during the Abbasid era, Baghdad was established as the capital of Islam. The last caliph was al-Mu‘tasim Billah, and with his downfall, the Islamic caliphate was erased. Muslims became divided into factions and were subdued everywhere. Even now, this is the situation: there is a large population of Arabs, they have their governments, but as a result of lacking mutual unity, the Jews have occupied the First Qiblah, Masjid al-Aqsa.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.
O Allah, grant victory to Islam and the Muslims, and humiliate the disbelievers, the wicked, the Jews, and the atheists. (Amin)

Hadith Commentary:
1.
In one narration, the reason for this hadith is mentioned: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) dispatched the narrator of the hadith, Sufyan bin Abu Zuhayr (radi Allahu anhu), for a certain expedition. When he reached the valley of ‘Aqiq, his horse fell ill. He returned and mentioned his horse to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), so the Prophet went out with the intention of arranging a horse for him. Abu Juham bin Hudhayfah (radi Allahu anhu) had a horse. The Prophet asked him its price, to which he replied: “I have no particular need for the price; you may take it and give it to whomever you wish.” When the Prophet returned from there and reached Bi’r Ahbab, he said to Sufyan bin Abu Zuhayr (radi Allahu anhu): “The population of Madinah Tayyibah will reach up to this place.” Then he said: “Greater Syria (Sham) will be conquered, and when the people of Madinah Tayyibah go there, its prosperity and fertility will dazzle them. If only they knew the value and status of Madinah Tayyibah! In any case, it will be better for them to remain in Madinah Tayyibah.” (Musnad Ahmad: 220/5)

(2)
The prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was fulfilled word for word; thus, in the order mentioned in the hadith, these regions were conquered. During the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), the regions of Yemen were conquered; after that, Sham (Greater Syria), then Iraq was conquered. However, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not prefer migrating from Madinah to those places, because Madinah Tayyibah is a sanctuary (haram), the place where revelation descended and blessings were sent down. There, the mercies and blessings of Allah, the Exalted, descend. In any case, a person who leaves Madinah Tayyibah and settles in another city out of aversion and dislike is blameworthy; however, one who leaves for the sake of jihad, seeking knowledge, propagation of religion, or any other necessity is excluded from this warning. (Fath al-Bari: 120/4)

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
يُبِسُّوْنَ (verb, form IV): According to Abu Ubayd, it means "they will drive their mounts." According to Dawudi, "they will scold or rebuke their mounts." And according to some, "they will invite people to lush and verdant regions."

Benefits and Issues:
In this hadith, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam made several prophecies which have already come to pass:
a. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam informed that Sham (Greater Syria), Yemen, and Iraq would be conquered, and these three regions were indeed conquered during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs radi Allahu anhum ajma'in—Abu Bakr radi Allahu ta'ala anhu, Umar radi Allahu ta'ala anhu, and Uthman radi Allahu ta'ala anhu. This establishes the legitimacy of their caliphate, because the promise of Allah ﴿وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ ......﴾ was fulfilled at their hands.

b. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said that at the time of the conquest of these regions, some people would leave Madinah and settle in those lands, even though residing in Madinah would be better for them. Indeed, some people, along with their families and dependents, migrated and settled in those countries.

c. The conquests of these regions occurred in the sequence described by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: first Yemen was conquered, then Sham, and then Iraq, as will be mentioned in the next narration. However, the intended meaning applies to those who, preferring other regions and showing indifference to Madinah, settled in other lands without any religious necessity. Those who, while cherishing love for Madinah in their hearts, moved elsewhere due to a religious need are not included in this.

Benefit:
In this hadith, several prophecies of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) are mentioned.
➊ Firstly, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) foretold the conquest of Sham (Greater Syria), Iraq, and Yemen, and it happened exactly as he said: these lands were conquered at the hands of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (khulafa’ rashidun), and the true embodiment of the rightly guided caliphate was these very individuals, and the divine promises were fulfilled through them.
➋ Secondly, that people would settle in these lands and take their families with them, and this too came to pass.
➌ Thirdly, that the conquest of these lands would occur in this sequence: first Yemen, then Sham, then Iraq, and the cities were indeed conquered in this order. And the greatest virtue was established for residing in Madinah al-Tayyibah.