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The early generations of this community, its leading scholars, and all the friends of Allah Most High have agreed that the prophets are superior to those friends of Allah who are not prophets. Allah has placed His servants who have attained felicity and received His favor in four ranks. The Most High says:

“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has favored: the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!”

A hadith states:

“The sun has neither risen nor set upon anyone, apart from the prophets and messengers, who is superior to Abū Bakr.”

The best of all communities is the community of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Most High says:

“You are the best community ever raised up for mankind.”

The Most High also says:

“Then We caused those whom We chose from among Our servants to inherit the Book.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in a hadith recorded in al-Musnad:

“You complete the number of seventy communities; you are the best of them and the most honored by Allah.”

The best generation of Muhammad’s community, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the first generation. It is authentically established through several routes of transmission that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: