And Ibn Sīnā and other heretical philosophers like him, addressing only Muslims deficient in knowledge and religion—whether a Rāfidī, a Mu'tazilī, or someone else—came to speak of the best generations in such terms.

It is established by mass transmission from the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—that he said:

“The best generation is the generation among whom I was sent, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.”

This fool should then be told that every nation has both intelligent and dull people