"Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'The best of my followers are those living in my generation (i.e. my contemporaries). and then those who will follow the latter" `Imran added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three generations after his generation, then the Prophet (ﷺ) added, 'There will come after you, people who will bear witness without being asked to do so, and will be treacherous and untrustworthy, and they will vow and never fulfill their vows, and fatness will appear among them."
Companions of the Prophet
Sahih al-Bukhari 3650
Excellence of the First Generation
The Prophet (ﷺ) establishes the superiority of his Companions (Ṣaḥābah) over all subsequent generations of Muslims. This indicates their unique virtue due to direct companionship, witnessing revelation, and sacrificing for Islam's establishment.
Gradual Decline in Religious Commitment
The ḥadīth describes three generations of excellence after the Prophet's era, after which religious and moral decline begins. Scholars differ whether these are three total generations including the Companions, or three after them.
Characteristics of Later Generations
"Bear witness without being asked" indicates eagerness to testify without necessity, potentially leading to false testimony. "Treacherous and untrustworthy" refers to breaking trusts in transactions and responsibilities. "Vow and never fulfill" shows disregard for religious commitments. "Fatness will appear" signifies excessive worldly comfort leading to religious neglect.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī explains this ḥadīth establishes the superiority of the Companions and the first three generations. The described moral decline serves as warning for later Muslims to adhere strictly to the Quran and Sunnah. The mention of physical characteristics like fatness indicates the connection between excessive worldly comfort and religious decline.