For this reason, it is stated (1) in the hadith of Umar that, when he asked about the civil strife that would surge like the waves of the sea, Hudhayfa told him, “Between you and it stands a closed door.”

Umar asked, “Will the door be broken or opened?”

He replied, “Rather, it will be broken.”

Umar said, “Had it been opened, it would have been likely to be closed again.” (2)

Umar himself was that door. Umar was killed, Uthman assumed the caliphate, and the causes of civil strife arose toward the end of his reign. Eventually he too was killed, and the door of civil strife was opened until the Day of Resurrection. This led to the conflicts of the Camel and Siffīn. Those who took part in them cannot be compared with anyone else, for they were superior to all who came after them.

Likewise, the civil strife of al-Harra and that of Ibn al-Ashath included some of the finest Successors, whom no one after them could equal. The occurrence of these episodes of civil strife in those eras does not mean that the people of those times were worse than others. Rather, the civil strife of every age is commensurate with its people.

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“The best generation is the generation among whom I was sent, then those who follow them, and then those who follow them.” (3)

The episodes of civil strife after that era were likewise commensurate with the people of their respective times. It is also related that he said:

“As you are, so shall you be ruled.” (4)

In another report, Allah Most High says: “I am Allah, Almighty and Majestic, the King of