The best of my Umma would be those of the generation nearest to mine. Then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them, then people would come whose witness would precede the oath and the oath will precede the witness. Hannad has not made the mention of Qarn in his narration. Qutaiba said that, instead of the word Qaum, the word Aqwam has been used.
Hadith Text & Context
The best of my Umma would be those of the generation nearest to mine. Then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them, then people would come whose witness would precede the oath and the oath will precede the witness.
This narration from Sahih Muslim 2533 a in The Book of the Merits of the Companions establishes the spiritual hierarchy of the Muslim community, with the Companions (Ṣaḥābah) holding the highest rank.
Commentary on the Three Generations
The Prophet (ﷺ) clearly delineated three superior generations: the Companions, the Successors (Tābiʿūn), and the Successors of the Successors (Atbāʿ al-Tābiʿīn). Their excellence stems from direct exposure to the pure source of revelation and the Prophetic example.
The Companions are paramount due to their immense sacrifices, personal instruction from the Prophet, and their role in establishing Islam. Each subsequent generation's virtue is relative to its proximity in time to this divine source.
The Later Era of Moral Decline
The phrase "whose witness would precede the oath and the oath will precede the witness" indicates a severe decline in moral character and truthfulness. In a just society, a claim requires proof (witness) before an oath is administered. This reversal signifies a time when people are so prone to falsehood that oaths are demanded prematurely, and witnesses are not trusted.
This serves as a profound warning about the religious and ethical deterioration that occurs with temporal distance from the Prophetic era, emphasizing the unparalleled status of the early generations.
Scholarly Notes on the Narration
The final sentence addresses minor variations in the chain of transmission (isnād). The mention of Hannad and Qutaiba highlights the meticulous work of hadith scholars in verifying every word of a narration, ensuring the precise preservation of the Prophet's teachings across different transmissions.