Fath al-Rabbani

Alqamah Muzani (may Allah have mercy on him) says: A man narrated to me, saying: I was in the gathering of Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) in Madinah Munawwarah, and he said to a person: "O so-and-so! What did you hear the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say when he was describing the state of Islam?" He said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Indeed, the beginning of Islam was like a young camel entering its fifth year, then it will become strong like a camel entering its sixth year, then it will become powerful like a camel entering its seventh year, then it will gain strength like a camel entering its eighth year, and then like a camel entering its ninth year." Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "After the ninth year of a camel's age, weakness begins."