Muslim also records another version:

“A time will come when an expedition will be dispatched, and the people will say, ‘Look and see whether you can find among you any of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.’ Such a man will be found, and victory will be granted to them on his account.

“Then a second expedition will be dispatched, and they will ask, ‘Is there anyone among you who saw the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them.

“Then a third expedition will be dispatched, and they will say, ‘Look and see whether there is anyone among you who saw someone who saw the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.’

“Then there will be a fourth expedition, and it will be said, ‘Look and see whether there is anyone among you who saw someone who saw someone who saw the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.’ Such a man will be found, and victory will be granted to them on his account.”

This hadith of Abū Saʿīd establishes two points: that a Companion of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is anyone who saw him while believing in him, however brief his companionship. This was explicitly stated by the imams, including Ahmad and others. Mālik said:

“Anyone who accompanied the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, for a year, a month, or a day, or saw him while believing in him, is one of his Companions, with a share in companionship corresponding to that.”

This is because “companionship” is a generic term encompassing various forms. One may say, “He accompanied him for a month,” or “for an hour.” This hadith makes clear that the status of companionship applies to someone who saw him while believing in him, for this is indispensable.

In Muslim’s second version, four generations are mentioned. Those who affirm this