How can we reconcile the hadith "The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them" with the hadith "My Ummah is like the rain, it is not known whether its beginning or its end is better"?

The religious texts affirm the virtue of the early generations of this Ummah, such as the Companions, who were the best of generations and the most excellent of the Ummah in hearts and knowledge. Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet. As for the hadith, "My Ummah is like the rain," it indicates the existence of those among the later generations who approach the virtue of the early ones, but it does not mean preferring them over the Companions who possess the unique distinction of companionship. And His saying, "The best of my Ummah are its first and its last," means that among the last, there are those who approach the first. Allah has indeed favored the Companions, especially those who spent [in charity] and fought before the فتح (Conquest of Mecca). As for the hadiths regarding the superiority of the later generations over the early ones in reward, such as the hadith about "the reward of fifty," it does not imply their absolute preference over the Companions, because an increase in reward for a specific action does not necessitate absolute superiority, and no one can equal the virtue of the Companions in witnessing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.