As for his words:

“They will have the reward of fifty of you, because you find helpers in doing good, whereas they find none.”

This is correct: if someone from the later generations performs a deed like one performed by someone from the earlier generations, he will have the reward of fifty. Yet it is inconceivable that anyone from the later generations could do what some of the foremost early believers, such as Abū Bakr and ʿUmar, did. No prophet like Muhammad will ever again be sent, with whom someone could act as they acted with Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

As for his words:

“My community is like rain: one does not know whether its beginning or its end is better.”

Although there is some weakness in this report, its meaning is that some among the later generations resemble those of the earlier generations and come close to them. Indeed, the resemblance and closeness are so great that an observer cannot tell which is better, even though one is, in reality, better than the other.

This gives the later generations glad tidings that some among them will approach the early believers in excellence, as stated in the other hadith:

“The best of my community are its first and its last, and between them is a middle mass—or crookedness. I wish I could see my brothers.” They asked, “Are we not your brothers?” He replied, “You are my Companions.”

This affirms the superiority of the Companions, for they possess the distinctive merit of companionship, which is more complete than brotherhood alone.

Likewise, his words:

“Which people are most astonishing in faith?”

Through to his words:

“People who come after me and believe in the pages that are hung up.”

This indicates that their faith is more astonishing than the faith of others; it does not indicate that they are superior. For the hadith states that they