The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "Who are the best people?" He replied: The people of my generation, and then those who will follow (come after) them, and then those who will come after the later; after that there will come some people whose witness will precede their oaths and their oaths will go ahead of their witness." Ibrahim (a sub-narrator) said, "When we were young, our elder friends used to prohibit us from taking oaths by saying, 'I bear witness swearing by Allah, or by Allah's Covenant."'
Hadith Commentary: Excellence of Early Generations
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 6658 establishes the spiritual hierarchy of Muslim generations, with the Companions being the most virtuous, followed by the Successors (Tabi'un), then their successors (Tabi' al-Tabi'in). The Prophet ﷺ specifically praised these first three generations, whose era constitutes the best of times in Islamic history.
Warning Against Later Corrupt Generations
The hadith then warns of a time when people's testimony will precede their oaths and oaths will precede testimony - indicating a breakdown in truthfulness and religious consciousness. Scholars explain this as referring to people who casually swear oaths without necessity or give testimony lightly without proper verification.
This corruption in fulfilling religious testimonies and oaths reflects a general decline in taqwa (God-consciousness) and disregard for the sanctity of sworn statements.
Practical Guidance from the Salaf
Ibrahim al-Nakha'i's statement demonstrates how the early Muslims understood and implemented this teaching. They prohibited youth from frivolous oaths and improper swearing, teaching them to respect Allah's name and covenant.
This reflects the comprehensive approach of the Salaf in nurturing proper Islamic etiquette regarding oaths and testimonies, ensuring the preservation of religious values in subsequent generations.