Abu Sa’id Khudri reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: A time would come for the people when groups of people would set out for fighting in the cause of Allah and it would be said to them: Is there one amongst you who saw Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)? And they would say: Yes, and they would be victorious. Then the people would set out for fighting in the cause of Allah and it would be said to them: Is there one amongst you who saw those (who have had the privilege of sitting in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)? And they would say: Yes, and victory would be granted to them. Then a group of persons would set out for fighting in the cause of Allah and it would be said to them: Is there one amongst you who saw one of those who saw those who (had the privilege) of sitting in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)? And they would say: Yes, and the Victory would be granted to them.
Hadith In Arabic Text :
حدثنا أبو خيثمة، زهير بن حرب وأحمد بن عبدة الضبي – واللفظ لزهير – قالا حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة، قال سمع عمرو، جابرا يخبر عن أبي سعيد الخدري، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ” يأتي على الناس زمان يغزو فئام من الناس فيقال لهم فيكم من رأى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيقولون . نعم فيفتح لهم ثم يغزو فئام من الناس فيقال لهم فيكم من رأى من صحب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيقولون نعم . فيفتح لهم ثم يغزو فئام من الناس فيقال لهم هل فيكم من رأى من صحب من صحب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيقولون نعم . فيفتح لهم ” .
Chapter : The Book Pertaining to the Merits of the Companions (Allah Be Pleased With Them) of the Holy Prophet – كتاب فضائل الصحابة رضى الله تعالى عنهم