"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who come after them, then those whom after them, then those who come after them.' -I do not know if he said two times after him or three. Then he mentioned some people who betray and cannot be trusted, who bear witness without being asked to do so, who make vows and do not fulfill them, and fatness will prevail among them."
Hadith Text and Context
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who come after them, then those whom after them, then those who come after them.' -I do not know if he said two times after him or three. Then he mentioned some people who betray and cannot be trusted, who bear witness without being asked to do so, who make vows and do not fulfill them, and fatness will prevail among them."
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 3809 describes the spiritual hierarchy of Muslim generations and warns of moral decline in later times, particularly regarding oaths and vows.
Commentary on the Three Generations
The Prophet ﷺ established the superiority of the first three generations: the Sahabah (Companions), the Tabi'un (Successors), and the Tabi' al-Tabi'in (Followers of the Successors). This establishes the authority of early Islamic scholarship and practice.
The narrator's uncertainty about whether the Prophet mentioned two or three generations after the first indicates the transmission's authenticity, showing the narrator's precision in reporting what he was certain of.
Moral Decline in Later Times
The hadith specifically mentions four signs of moral degradation: betrayal and untrustworthiness, offering unsolicited testimony, making unfulfilled vows, and prevalence of excessive physical indulgence.
Regarding vows, Islamic law considers fulfilling religious vows obligatory. The failure to fulfill them indicates weakening faith and disregard for religious commitments.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that "fatness prevailing" symbolizes materialism, comfort-seeking, and neglect of spiritual development, not merely physical obesity.
This prophecy serves as both a warning and guidance - to adhere to the way of the righteous predecessors and maintain integrity in all matters, especially oaths and vows as emphasized in The Book of Oaths and Vows.