Bukhari

Hadith Commentary: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned the virtue of the people of these three eras, as if they were established as the best of generations (khayr al-quroon).
For this reason, the scholars have defined innovation (bid‘ah) as any new matter introduced into the religion which did not exist in those three eras.
Every such innovation is misguidance, and those who have divided innovation into “good” (hasanah) and “bad” (sayyi’ah), their intention by innovation is the linguistic meaning of bid‘ah.
Our guide, Shaykh Ahmad Mujaddid Sirhindi (rahimahullah), says: “I do not find in any innovation anything but darkness and gloom; I find absolutely no light in it.”
(Wahidi)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
This hadith mentions three categories of people:
The first category is that of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) who accompanied the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) or saw him, and then died in a state of Islam.
The second is that of the eminent Followers (Tabi‘in).
And the Tabi‘in are those Muslims who kept company with at least one Companion, and then died in a state of Islam.
The third category is that of the Followers of the Followers (Taba‘ Tabi‘in).
By them are meant those Muslims who saw any Tabi‘i, and then died in that same state of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has mentioned the virtue of those belonging to these three eras, that they are the best of generations, as will be mentioned in the following hadith.
➋
On this basis, some scholars have defined innovation (bid‘ah) as introducing any new matter into the religion which did not exist in the best of generations (khayr al-quroon); every such innovation is misguidance.

Hadith Commentary:
From this hadith, it is understood that it is permissible to benefit from the supplications (duas) of pious, Allah-fearing people.

The Noble Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said that my era, then the era of my Companions (radi Allahu anhum), and then the era of the Followers (Tabi‘in)—these are the best of times.

In these blessed eras, Muslims were, in the true sense, God-attained Muslims; their supplications were widely accepted.

In any case, in every era, the existence of such God-attained people is necessary.

To remain in their company, to request supplications from them, and to obtain spiritual blessings from them is indeed a great fortune.

Such people are referred to in the Noble Qur’an as the “Awliya’ Allah” (friends of Allah), about whom it is said: ﴿الذینَ اٰمنُوا وکانُوا یتقُونَ﴾—that they are those who are firm in faith and complete in piety (taqwa).

Those in whom these qualities are not found, to consider them as Awliya’ Allah is extreme foolishness.

However, it is unfortunate that nowadays most so-called Muslims are afflicted with this foolishness, that they consider many hashish smokers, opium addicts, unlawful eaters, and idle people to be God-attained merely by looking at their hair and their cloaks and robes, whereas in the guise of such people are the offspring of Iblis, who, by leading many simple-minded people astray, are fulfilling the task of making them dwellers of Hell.

Allahumma inna na‘udhu bika min shururi anfusina (O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the evils of our own selves).

From the hadith, there is evidence for seeking supplication from the most pious people in the field of jihad.

Du‘a is the weapon of the believer—“The best weapon of the believer is supplication.”

It is true: “The supplication of the pious wards off calamity.”

Hadith Commentary:
➊
According to this prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the mentioned goodness and blessings came to the share of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), the eminent Followers (tabi‘in, rahimahumullah), and the Followers of the Followers (atba‘ al-tabi‘in, rahimahumullah).
Victories were achieved due to their supplications.
Although these personalities were weak in worldly matters, they were very strong and firm in matters of the Hereafter.

➋
This is also supported by a hadith.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The best of all generations is my generation, then those who follow them (the Companions), then those who follow them (the Followers).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Shahadat, Hadith 2651)
In these blessed times, Muslims were truly Muslims in the real sense.
Their supplications were widely accepted.
Allah the Exalted has described the status of His friends (awliya) in these words:
“They are firm in their faith and perfect in piety.” ( Yunus 10/63)

➌
‘Allamah Ibn Battal (rahimahullah) says:
The weak are far ahead in sincerity when making supplication, and their humility in worship is greater.
Their hearts are free from the adornments and attractions of the world; therefore, having supplication made by the weak is a great source of goodness and blessing.
(Fath al-Bari: 6/109)

Hadith Commentary:
There is further clarification in another narration:
“Then, at the time of jihad, it will be asked: ‘Is there anyone in the army who has accompanied the Tabi‘in?’ The reply will be, ‘Yes,’ and thus they will also be granted victory.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jihad, Hadith: 2897)

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The best of times is my era, then the one that follows it, then the one that follows it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Shahadat, Hadith: 2651)

The meaning is that among the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), the eminent Tabi‘in, and the followers of the Tabi‘in (Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in), there will be goodness and blessings; after that, decline will begin.
(Fath al-Bari: 6/109)

In some narrations, a fourth generation is also mentioned, but those narrations do not meet the standards of the hadith scholars. In any case, the original three generations are: the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), the eminent Tabi‘in, and the Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in (rahimahumullah). After them, falsehood will spread.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: This hadith establishes that seeing even a single Companion (sahabi) is a source of honor, felicity, and blessing; therefore, seeing more Companions will be an even greater cause of goodness and blessing.

Benefit:
From this it is established that the era of goodness, blessing, and the exemplary dominance of religion was the era of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), the Followers (Tabi‘in, rahimahullah), and the Followers of the Followers (Taba‘ Tabi‘in, rahimahullah). In a hadith, the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The best of all times is my time, then the time of my Companions (radi Allahu anhum), then the time of the great Followers (rahimahullah).” [صحيح البخاري : 2651]
The piety and reliance upon Allah (tawakkul) of the people of the best generations (khayr al-quroon) was exemplary; therefore, Allah Almighty placed blessing in their abilities and their conquests. Any nation that gives preference to the world over the Hereafter remains subdued. The best generations gave preference to the Hereafter; that is why they were successful.