the best of my people is the generation in which I have been sent, then their immediate followers, then their immediate followers. Allah knows best whether he mentioned the third or not. After them will be people who will give testimony without being asked, who will make vows which they do not fulfill, who will be treacherous and not to be trusted, among whom fatness will appear.
Hadith Text & Reference
"The best of my people is the generation in which I have been sent, then their immediate followers, then their immediate followers. Allah knows best whether he mentioned the third or not. After them will be people who will give testimony without being asked, who will make vows which they do not fulfill, who will be treacherous and not to be trusted, among whom fatness will appear."
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 4657 | Book: Model Behavior of the Prophet (Kitab Al-Sunnah)
Commentary on the Three Generations
The Prophet ﷺ clearly delineates the superiority of three generations: his own companions (Sahabah), their immediate successors (Tabi'un), and the successors of the Tabi'un (Tabi' al-Tabi'in). These three generations constitute the Salaf al-Salih (Pious Predecessors) whose understanding and practice represent the purest form of Islam.
The uncertainty regarding mentioning the third generation indicates either the narrator's doubt or divine wisdom in emphasizing that excellence gradually diminishes with temporal distance from revelation.
Characteristics of Later Generations
Giving testimony without being asked: This indicates people who volunteer testimony unnecessarily, often for worldly gain or to interfere in matters not concerning them, contrary to the Islamic etiquette of testimony.
Making unfulfilled vows: They take religious vows lightly without sincere intention to fulfill them, showing disregard for commitments made to Allah.
Treachery and untrustworthiness: They break trusts and agreements, violating the fundamental Islamic principle of amanah (trustworthiness) which the Prophet called the sign of faith.
Prevalence of fatness: Scholars interpret this as both physical obesity from excessive consumption and metaphorical "fatness" of hearts from heedlessness and love of worldly pleasures.
Scholarly Insights
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this hadith establishes the superiority of the early generations and serves as a warning against the religious and moral decline that would occur later.
Imam al-Nawawi emphasizes that following the methodology of the Salaf is obligatory, as they preserved the religion in its pristine form without innovation.
The description of later generations serves as both prophecy and counsel, urging Muslims to cling to the way of the righteous predecessors and beware of the mentioned corruptions.