are "foremost people" few in later times ?

[ilker]

From 56:7 to 56:14, ALLAH talks about three groups of people and the first group as the "foremost" group. Within the first group there are a few people from the later times. Why is that ? Does this mean that the people from old times were more successful than us in terms of faith or knowledge ?

[ilker]

anyone has anything to say ? 

[Hassan A]

Salaam ilker,

You asked:

Why is that ? Does this mean that the people from old times were more successful than us in terms of faith or knowledge ?

I think you may be right in your assessment. A similar assessment is shared by Muhammad Assad when he gives the following commentary on those verses:

"stress on the 'many' and the 'few' contains an allusion to the progressive diminution, in the historical sense, of the element of excellence in men's faith and ethical achievements."

Peace.

[Duster]

Peace / Shalom......brother Joseph may have touched upon a similar theme in a recent FB post. ....>>>>

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=712385755565221&id=100003814101226

[ilker]

assalamu alaikum. thanks for your replies. but if we take it like what you said brother Hassan, then what are we going to say to those people who claim that the early people are more "right" and "accurate" in their thoughts and opinions so the latter ones (for example "us" or scholars of today) should follow them ! because they (we) have a higher chance to be wrong or incorrect on certain topics ?

the link you have posted is broken Duster can you post brother Joseph's article in here or renew the link ?

[Hassan3000]

May peace be upon you , this is the post of brother Joseph that he's probably referring to:

Though the population increases in multitudes as do the number of 'alleged' Muslims, the number of 'true' believers 'FOREMOST' in the race to spiritual enlightenment and felicity diminishes.
.
056.012-14
"In the gardens of bliss. A number of people from those of old and a FEW from those of later times."
.
Another prophecy may present the reasons why.
.
025:030
"And the messenger will say: O my Lord! Indeed! my own people / community (Arabic: Qawm) took this Quran as a forsaken thing / ignored it / abandoned it (Arabic: Mahjuran)"
.
The Mighty Book, alas, is left 'effectively' shackled and 'mahjur' by arguably the masses.

[ilker]

25:30 ! so wonderful and tragic. Alhamdulillah. May ALLAH bless you guys.