Damascus (ash-Sham or Dimashq) is reputed to be the oldest city in the world. Archaeological discoveries suggest that Dimashq is older than 8,000 BC. It is said that the name ‘Sham’ was derived from ‘Shem’ or ‘Sam’, the eldest son of Prophet Nooh (alaihis salaam), who chose to live there after the floods.
In 635 CE Muslim armies under Khalid ibn Waleed took the city. The first decades of Islamic rule are considered the golden age of the city. In 661 CE. Dimashq became the capital of an empire that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to China. Later, it became the Muslim stronghold during the Crusades.
In 1400 while the Dimashq armies were in the south, Tamerlane’s Mongol hordes almost completely destroyed the city and killed everyone they could capture. After a ransom of one million pieces of gold was paid, Tamerlane left.
Dimashq was the capital of Muslim leaders such as Salahuddeen Ayyubi. Many famous Muslim scholars studied and lived there, such as ibn Taimiyyah, ibn Katheer and Imam Nawawi. One important site is the Umayyad Musjid, where Prophet Eesa (alaihis sallam) will descend near its white minaret to begin the campaign against Dajjal (Antichrist). (Muslim, Abu Dawud & Tirmithi)
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) recommended made dua: ‘Oh Allah, bless our Sham…’ (Bukhari) Damascus will be the place of assembly of the Muslims at the time of the Armageddon (Malhamah, the great war) which will be in Ghutah near Dimasq. (Abu Dawud)
Al-Jumuah vol.10 issue8/9
