The Best generation Is the Generation of the Messenger, Then Those Who Came Next, Then Those Who Came Next, and Thereafter Corruption Will Spread
'Imraan ibn Husain reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "The best of my nation are those of this generation, then those that followed them." 'Imraan * said, "I do not know whether he mentioned two generations after his generation or three." The Hadeeth continues, "Then there will come after you a people who will give their testimony without being asked (scholars have said
that this is referring to a person who gives testimony without being asked to give it on behalf of another who has knowledge of the fact that he is a witness; other scholars say that this is referring to one who puts himself forward as a witness but is not worthy of giving testimony), who will be treacherous and cannot be trusted, and who will make a binding oath (Nadhr) to do something but then will not honor that oath; and fatness will become prevalent among them. "
(Bukhaaree and Muslim, and this wording is that of Bukhaaree
Source: Book of the End by Ibn Katheer
The Best Generation best generation generation prophet's companions
'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Indeed Islam began new and strange and it shall return as it began - new and strange. So glad tidings to the strangers." (Muslim) It was asked, "And who are the strangers?" Hse,aid, "Those who are far away from the tribes." (Ibn Maajah
Knowledge Will Be Raised With The Death Of The Scholars
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr related that the Messenger of Allah said, "Verily, Allah does not seize knowledge by force, taking it forcefully from the people; instead, He takes away knowledge by the death of the scholars, until their remains no scholar. The people will take ignorant leaders, who will be asked, and who will rule without knowledge. They are misguided and they will misguide
others."
(Bukhaaree(