35/4. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2302 — Best Generations and False Testimony
From it (i.e. the previous chapter subject) [Among That Lying Will Spread Until A Man Will Testify While His Testimony Was Not Requested And A Man Will Take An Oath While His Oath Was Not Sought]
Best Generations Hadith and the Warning on Testimony
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2302
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2302
حَدَّثَنَا وَاصِلُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُدْرِكٍ، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ يِسَافٍ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ قَوْمٌ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ يَتَسَمَّنُونَ وَيُحِبُّونَ السِّمَنَ يُعْطُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْأَلُوهَا " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الأَعْمَشِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُدْرِكٍ وَأَصْحَابُ الأَعْمَشِ إِنَّمَا رَوَوْا عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ يِسَافٍ عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ .حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، حَدَّثَنَا هِلاَلُ بْنُ يِسَافٍ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ . وَهَذَا أَصَحُّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ فُضَيْلٍ . قَالَ وَمَعْنَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ عِنْدَ بَعْضِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ " يُعْطُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُسْأَلُوهَا " . إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي شَهَادَةَ الزُّورِ يَقُولُ يَشْهَدُ أَحَدُهُمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يُسْتَشْهَدَ وَبَيَانُ هَذَا فِي [الحديث التالي]...
'Imran bin Husain Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "The Best Of People Are My Generation, Then Those Who Follow Them, Then Those Who Follow Them, Then Those Who Follow Them." (He (S.A.W) Said That) Three Times. "Then, After Them A People Will Come Who Increase In Fatness, Loving Fatness, Giving Testimony Before They Are Asked For It."Another Chain On The Authority Of 'Imran Bin Husain Narrates A Similar Narration.
[1] This appeared earlier, nos. 2221, 2222.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2302In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 8,9English translation : Vol. 4, Book 9, Hadith 2302
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2302
This Hadith speaks about the best generations and then gives a warning about testimony. The Messenger of Allah said that the best people are his generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. After that, he mentioned people who would give testimony before being asked for it. In the Arabic note, the meaning is linked by some scholars to false testimony, where a person speaks as a witness without being called to witness. The core message is not to treat testimony lightly. A person should not rush into claims, especially when truth and rights are involved. This best generations hadith also points to the value of honesty, restraint, and careful speech.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet praised his generation and the generations after them.
- Testimony is serious and should not be given carelessly.
- The narration warns against false testimony and speaking without a proper need.
- A believer should be careful when words may affect the rights of others.
