A:
The meaning of
“Islam began as a stranger (few people believing in it)...”
it was first a stranger because those who first embraced it became like strangers, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) called people to Islam in secret, so
Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), his wife
Khadijah and his freed slave
Zayd believed in him. Then, he (peace be upon him) began to call to Islam those whom he trusted. Some people believed in him, until Islam spread, strangeness and solitude ended, and people embraced it in masses. As the end of the world approaches, Islam will become a stranger again, to the extent that there might be only one Muslim in a whole tribe.The meaning of
“The best of generations is my generation...”
is that the era in which the Messenger (peace be upon him) was sent was the best of eras. The Arabic word “Qarn” meaning “generation” is derived from the root “Iqtiran” which denotes “association” because people of one generation are similarly associated in age and conditions of life.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.