In a hadith narrated in Bukhari and Muslim, Abdullah bin Mas’ud:razi: said, that the Prophet:saw: said, “the best century is my century and the one after it” and in some narrations “the first century and the second and the third.”
I've heared so many different version of this hadith. Can you please give the refference of this hadith?
'Imran bin Hussain said, "The Prophet said, 'The best of you (people) are my generation, and the second best will be those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the second generation."
Imran added, “I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation.” He added, “Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.686 — Narrated by Zahdam bin Mudarrab]
Allah’s Messenger :saw: said: **The best age of my Ummah is one in which I was sent (by Allah as an Apostle), then the one next to that. **(The narrator said): And Allah knows best whether he stated this third (time) or not. Then there would come people who would love (to look) bulky and they would hasten to the witness box before they are asked to bear witness.
[Sahih Muslim Hadith 6154 — Narrated by AbuHurayrah]
The Prophet 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 latter; 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.’ "
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.652 — Narrated by Abdullah]
The Prophet said, “The best people are those of my generation, and then those who will come after them (the next generation), and then those who will come after them (i.e. the next generation), and then after them, there will come people whose witness will precede their oaths, and whose oaths will precede their witness.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.437 — Narrated by Abdullah]
'Imran bin Husain said: The Prophet said, “The best people are my contemporaries (i.e., the present (my) generation) and then those who come after them (i.e., the next generation).”/ Imran added: I am not sure whether the Prophet repeated the statement twice after his first saying. The Prophet added, “And after them there will come people who will bear witness, though they will not be asked to give their witness; and they will be treacherous and nobody will trust them, and they will make vows, but will not fulfill them, and fatness will appear among them.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.436 — Narrated by Zahdam bin Mudarrib]
All ahaadeeth are taken from “The Alim” CD.
Indeed the following Ayahs of the hoy Quran attest to which is the best generation.
"You are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind, you enjoin good and forbid evil, and you believe in Allah." [3:110]
"And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajiroon (the Emigrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madeenah who helped the Muhajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." [9:100]
"Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their pledge to you (O Muhammad) under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts and He sent down calmness and tranquility upon them..." [48:18] *
And, of course, the Muslims of that era were raised to much higher honour than those of today - the Muslim societies of the late 600s, the 700s, 800 and 900s were the most powerful, most dynamic societies in the world at the time.
Contrast with today ... as Muslims societies deviate from Islam, in both directions (too liberal, or too conservative, depending on a country-by-country basis), they are sinking to lower and lower status in this world.
Be it criminalising polygamy (some North African arab countries, a "too liberal" step), or banning women from driving (Saudi Arabia, a "too conservative" step), Muslim societies are deviating away from Islam and sinking as a result.
^
So should we feel proud when we are being labelled living in 7th century? I think it’s an honour if we are found guilty of that? I think we should not take it as insult rather be thankful to Allah:swt: in that case.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by mAd_ScIeNtIsT: *
And, of course, the Muslims of that era were raised to much higher honour than those of today - the Muslim societies of the late 600s, the 700s, 800 and 900s were the most powerful, most dynamic societies in the world at the time.
Contrast with today ... as Muslims societies deviate from Islam, in both directions (too liberal, or too conservative, depending on a country-by-country basis), they are sinking to lower and lower status in this world.
Be it criminalising polygamy (some North African arab countries, a "too liberal" step), or banning women from driving (Saudi Arabia, a "too conservative" step), Muslim societies are deviating away from Islam and sinking as a result.
[/QUOTE]
55 muslim countries 55 different leaders 55 different ideas add secularism in the mix and you can understand why the version of islam is distorted in different ways and levels.
The reason for this deviations is the destruction of islamic state. One state one leadership is the way muhammad(saw) gave example and this only solution to our problems.
Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman:razi: reported that the Messenger of Allah :saw: said:
**“Prophethood (meaning Muhammad :saw: himself) will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain, then Allah will raise it up whenever he wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood remaining with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, He will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a reign of violently oppressive [The reign of Muslim kings who are partially unjust] rule and it will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, there will be a reign of tyrannical rule and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, Allah will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Then, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood.” **
Then Hudhaifah said, “The Prophet :saw: stopped speaking.”
[As-Silsilah As-Sahihah, vol. 1, no. 5]
The same hadith without any change of a word is also narrated by Hadrat Nauman Ibn-e-Basheer 
in Musnad-e-Ahmad Ibn-e-Hanbal.
Mashallah that is a beautiful hadith and reminder of our situation today. Which we can assume is the tyranical rule stage.
For the hadith to come full circle and on the caliphate that follows guidance of muhammad(saw) the ummah needs to work for this sincerly. Then if allah(swt) allows it, then it will happen it will not pop out of the sky we the ummah need to work for it also to do the action.
question is tho, and not to reduce this thread to the usual kafir mongering, that the first century after the prophet's death sees the biggest schism between Muslims arise, the martyrdom of his grandson and his family, numerous wars between muslims themselves.. the deaths of sahaba at the hands of sahaba.. the establishment of 'mulukiyat'.. kingdom as the principle form of governance.
how can all that happen in one glorious century?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ravage: *
question is tho, and not to reduce this thread to the usual kafir mongering, that the first century after the prophet's death sees the biggest schism between Muslims arise, the martyrdom of his grandson and his family, numerous wars between muslims themselves.. the deaths of sahaba at the hands of sahaba.. the establishment of 'mulukiyat'.. kingdom as the principle form of governance.
how can all that happen in one glorious century?
[/QUOTE]
Compare the last 2 centuries for muslims to the time when islamic state was in existence and you tell me which one you prefer one where we are humilated and watch as muslims butchered in there thousands by the crusaders or a time when the muslims had ability to defend themselves with honour.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by mAd_ScIeNtIsT: *
And, of course, the Muslims of that era were raised to much higher honour than those of today - the Muslim societies of the late 600s, the 700s, 800 and 900s were the most powerful, most dynamic societies in the world at the time.
Contrast with today ... as Muslims societies deviate from Islam, in both directions (too liberal, or too conservative, depending on a country-by-country basis), they are sinking to lower and lower status in this world.
Be it criminalising polygamy (some North African arab countries, a "too liberal" step), or banning women from driving (Saudi Arabia, a "too conservative" step), Muslim societies are deviating away from Islam and sinking as a result.
[/QUOTE]
during the period you mentioned, there were great people like Al Kindi, Al Farabi, Avicenna and Ibn Rashad. Who were True human beings and True Muslims. Here is how they thought of religion.
In the 9th century, al-Kindi affirmed that philosophy and religion are merely different methods of pursuing the One Truth. Similarly (but more specifically), al-Farabi said that logic is the universal law of regulated thought, while revealed religion expresses truth in the symbols of a particular place and culture.
In the 11th century, ibn Sina (Avicenna) solidified Aristotle's importance in the Islamic world and said that philosophy is the only source of knowledge -- and knowledge is the source of salvation. Avicenna said we begin with what we know, and proceed through a hierarchy of sciences toward what we don't know, culminating in "First Philosophy." Avicenna famously distinguished between essence and existence. This led to the philosophical concept of Necessary Existence (i.e. God). Avicenna said happiness is found not in sense perception, but in objects of the intellect; salvation involves correct habits of the soul and a primary understanding of Being -- i.e. contemplation of the purely divine.
Al-Ghazali (1058-1111) criticized Avicenna, insisting that salvation is beyond demonstrative knowledge, and can be gained only in the "immediate experience" of mysticism. Ibn Rushd, or Averroes (1126-1196), worked to restore the independence of philosophy, separating it from religion. He said that religion may guide the masses to salvation, while philosophy -- grasped only by a small elite -- produces the speculative virtues that are necessary for attaining truth and immortality of the soul.
Compare to religious Fanatics (Scholars) of today, they were the true reason of acheiving glory Muslims enjoyed back then.
Sher, thanks for sharing these pearls of wisdom from truly muslim scholars. I thought I would just mention here some other qualities of these great men of what they practiced.
Ib Rushd, was also a Qazi in northern Africa and use to rule by Quran and Sunnah which is also know as the Sharia.
Ibn Sina was Hafiz-e-Quran.
Imam Ghazali (RA) was a mojor Shafi Jurist, some even thing that if there was an Islamic jurist after Imam Shafi, it would have been Imam Ghazali.
All in all, never in their books they have ever refuted Islam, or doubted the teachings of Islam. But we in this modern age and time, as soon as we learn something the very next thing we do is start challenging the very teachings of Islam. Coming up with our own theories about Halal and haram, challenging the validity of Salat, questioning if we should pray or not. I think we should be thank full to Allah for he has given us this wisdom, rather than wasting time in challenging Allah. I think when we read these scholars of Islam we should always remember their Muslim Character as well.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by MiniMe: *
Sher, thanks for sharing these pearls of wisdom from truly muslim scholars. I thought I would just mention here some other qualities of these great men of what they practiced.
Ib Rushd, was also a Qazi in northern Africa and use to rule by Quran and Sunnah which is also know as the Sharia.
Ibn Sina was Hafiz-e-Quran.
Imam Ghazali (RA) was a mojor Shafi Jurist, some even thing that if there was an Islamic jurist after Imam Shafi, it would have been Imam Ghazali.
All in all, never in their books they have ever refuted Islam, or doubted the teachings of Islam. But we in this modern age and time, as soon as we learn something the very next thing we do is start challenging the very teachings of Islam. Coming up with our own theories about Halal and haram, challenging the validity of Salat, questioning if we should pray or not. I think we should be thank full to Allah for he has given us this wisdom, rather than wasting time in challenging Allah. I think when we read these scholars of Islam we should always remember their Muslim Character as well.
[/QUOTE]
MiniMe, It seems you did not quite get what these great men stated. The wisdom is something which is never wasted. if you read above statments you would know what all of the men have emphasized on. The use of wisdom. there is no restrction of using your wisdom, be it questioning God or his prophets or The book. I am quoting Ibn Rashad again here. He said that religion may guide the masses to salvation, while philosophy(Love of wisdom, in greek) -- grasped only by a small elite -- produces the speculative virtues that are necessary for attaining truth and immortality of the soul.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ak47: *
Compare the last 2 centuries for muslims to the time when islamic state was in existence and you tell me which one you prefer one where we are humilated and watch as muslims butchered in there thousands by the crusaders or a time when the muslims had ability to defend themselves with honour.
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Does that mean that you do not belive that the Uthmani Khilafat was an Islamic state, despite the evidence suggesting that most Muslims (bar some of those of Arabia who rebelled) at the time believed it to be so?
I'd understand you saying "last century", but did the last 2 centuries really lack an Islamic state?
^ mad scientist you are correct the last 100 years + have been nothing but disaster for the muslim ummah.
The uthamni khilafah was valid islamic state no doubt.
The following is very disturbing. I dare to say any man who read it and is not taken aback with disgust has a long way to go to become a human.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number 4348
”Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas:
A blind man had a slave-mother who used to abuse the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and disparage him. He forbade her but she did not stop. He rebuked her but she did not give up her habit. One night she began to slander the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and abuse him. So he took a dagger, placed it on her belly, pressed it, and killed her. A child who came between her legs was smeared with the blood that was there. When the morning came, the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) was informed about it.
He assembled the people and said: I adjure by Allah the man who has done this action and I adjure him by my right to him that he should stand up. Jumping over the necks of the people and trembling the man stood up.
He sat before the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and said: Apostle of Allah! I am her master; she used to abuse you and disparage you. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her, but she did not abandon her habit. I have two sons like pearls from her, and she was my companion. Last night she began to abuse and disparage you. So I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her.
Thereupon the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Oh be witness, no retaliation is payable for her blood".