Question: Is it possible for a Muslim, in this day and age, to reach the level which the Companions (radhi-yAllaahu ‘anhum) had reached in terms of their adherence to the religion of Allaah?

Answer: As regards reaching the level of the Companions, then this is not possible, because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

((The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them)), (transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from the hadeeth of `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood).

As for rectifying the (affairs of the) Muslim Ummah such that it moves on from its current state, then this is possible. (Indeed) Allaah is All-Powerful over everything. It has been authenticated that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

((A group of my Ummah will continue to prevail, adhering to the truth, and they will not be harmed by those who abandon them and oppose them, until the decree of Allaah comes to pass when they are like that)), (transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from the hadeeth of Mu’aawiyah; and additionally, transmitted by Muslim and at-Tirmidhee from the hadeeth of Thowbaan).

And there is no doubt that the current state of the Muslim Ummah is one worthy of censure, far removed from that which Allaah requires of it in terms of gathering together upon the religion of Allaah and strength (of adherence) upon the religion of Allaah, because Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) says:

{And verily, this your religion is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me}, Soorah al-Mu.minoon, Aayah 52

[Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen, Fataawa al-`Aqeedah – Question 129, Page 148-149]