Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God's messenger as saying, "A time is coming to mankind when a party will go to fight and be asked if there are among them any who were companions of God's messenger; and when they reply that there are, they will be given victory. Then a time is coming to mankind when a party will go to fight, and when they are asked if there are any among them who associated with the companions of God's messenger and reply that there are, they will be given victory. Then a time is coming to mankind when a party of people will go to fight, and when they are asked if there are any among them who associated with those who associated with the companions of God's messenger and reply that there are, they will be given victory." (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim he said, "A time is coming to mankind when an expedition will be sent forth from among them, and when they are asked to see whether they can find one of the companions of God's messenger among them and one is found, they will be given victory. Then a second expedition will be sent forth, and when they are asked if they include anyone who saw the companions of God's messenger and one is found, they will be given victory. Then a third expedition will be sent forth and people will be asked to look and see whether they include anyone who saw anyone who saw the Prophet's companions. Then there will be a fourth expedition and people will be asked to look and see whether they include anyone who saw anyone who saw anyone who saw the Prophet's companions. A man will be found and victory will be given because of him." Muslim.