One of the Companions reported God's messenger as saying, "Syria will be conquered, and when you are given your choice of places in which to settle go on a city called Damascus, for it will be the fortress of the Muslims to protect them in the wars during which it will be a place of assembly. In its neighbourhood there is some land called al-Ghuta." Ahmad transmitted the two traditions.
Hadith Referenceمشكوة المصابيح / كتاب المناقب / 6278
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:ضَعِيف | زبیر علی زئی:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij´تحقيق و تخريج: محدث العصر حافظ زبير على زئي رحمه الله` «صحيح، رواه احمد (4/ 160 ح 17609 فيه ابو بکر بن ابي مريم ضعيف) ولحديث شواهد عند ابي داود (4298) وسنده صحيح-وغيره وبھا صح الحديث.»