Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A time will come when a Muslim army will be out for jihad. It will be asked: Are there any elders in the army who have had the company of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? It will be said: Yes. Then (by bringing them forward for supplication) they will be asked to pray for victory. Then a time will come when it will be sought whether any elders can be found who have had the company of the companions of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (i.e., the Tabi‘een). Such elders will also be found and they will be asked to pray for victory. After that, a time will come when (the soldiers) will be asked: Are there any elders among you who have had the company of the students of the companions of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (i.e., the Taba‘ Tabi‘een)? It will be said: Yes, and they will be asked to pray for victory.