What is the interpretation of the traditions concerning the virtue of Ash-Sham?

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The numerous traditions stating that Allah has guaranteed sufficiency for Ash-Sham are confirmed. Imam Ahmad interpreted the term 'al-Gharb' (the West) in the authentic Hadith narrated by Muslim ('The people of the West shall remain victorious') to refer specifically to Ash-Sham, because Ash-Sham is named a West relative to Iraq, just as Iraq is named an East. Furthermore, a clear Hadith states that a group from the Ummah shall remain triumphant upon the truth, unaffected by those who forsake them, until the Command of Allah comes while they are in Ash-Sham. This is confirmed by narrations recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari indicating that this group shall be in Ash-Sham.