To proceed: this is the fifth volume of the “Series of Authentic Hadiths and Some of Their Juristic Insights and Benefits,” which I present today to our esteemed readers, so that they may draw from the authentic sunnah it contains, its ripe fruits of varied kinds, its fine guidance, and its many benefits—matters needed by every Muslim in his life, in creed, acts of worship, transactions, character, and other areas.

The first hadith to greet you in this volume is the Prophet’s statement: “In every century of my Ummah there are those who are foremost.” It contains glad tidings for this Muhammadan Ummah: that, in every century, there will continue to be people who act upon Allah’s rulings. It also shows that Allah’s saying:

“Then We caused those of Our servants whom We chose to inherit the Book. Among them are those who wrong themselves; among them are those who take a middle course; and among them are those who are foremost in good deeds, by Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty.” (1)

is not confined to one century rather than another, but is general to every age, until the Hour is established. This is contrary to what was narrated from Aishah: that those foremost in good deeds are only those who lived during the time of the Messenger of Allah. Besides contradicting this authentic hadith, its chain includes a narrator whose hadith is abandoned, as is explained in the other work (3235).

This volume is distinguished by a number of features, including the many hadiths concerning the Prophet’s characteristics and guidance, which fall under the category of reports beginning, “He used to,” from nos. 2053–2141. Among them is the report that “two men would not walk directly behind him” (2087 and 2104)—an aspect of proper conduct when walking with elders, contrary to the practice today of some Sufi shaykhs and scholars, let alone kings and rulers!