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Abdu'l-'Aziz, son of Abdu'-Salam, hath related unto us that the Prophet -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon him -- hath said: "Akka is a city in Syria to which God hath shown His special mercy." (178:1) Ibn-i-Mas'ud -- may God be pleased with him -- hath stated: "The Prophet -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: 'Of all shores the best is the shore of Askelon, and Akka is, verily, better than Askelon, and the merit of Akka above that of Askelon and all other shores is as the merit of Muhammad above that of all other Prophets. I bring you tidings of a city betwixt two mountains in Syria, in the middle of a meadow, which is called Akka. Verily, he that entereth therein, longing for it and eager to visit it, God will forgive his sins, both of the past and of the future. And he that departeth from it, other than as a pilgrim, God will not bless his departure. In it is a spring called the Spring of the Cow. Whoso drinketh a draught therefrom, God will fill his heart with light, and will protect him from the most great terror on the Day of Resurrection.'" (178:2) Anas, son of Malik -- may God be pleased with him -- hath said: "The Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: 'By the shore of the sea is a city, suspended beneath the Throne, and named Akka. He that dwelleth therein, firm and expecting a reward from God -- exalted be He -- God will write down for him, until the Day of Resurrection, the recompense of such as have been patient, and have stood up, and knelt down, and prostrated themselves, before Him.'"
(178:3)
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