, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?’ In another wording: ‘Is there anyone among you who saw someone who saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them. Then groups of people will go forth to battle, and they will ask: ‘Is there anyone among you who saw someone who saw someone who saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?’ In another wording: ‘Who kept company with someone who kept company with someone who kept company with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?’ They will say, ‘Yes,’ and victory will be granted to them.”

In some chains of transmission, a fourth generation is likewise mentioned. Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, linked this outcome both to companionship with him and to having seen him. He stated that Allah grants victory to the Muslims on account of someone who saw him while believing in him. This distinction belongs to no one other than the Companions, even if others’ deeds exceed those of an individual Companion of his, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.