Does the verse of Allah the Exalted, “And the foremost [in faith] were the first [of them]…” (the verse), serve as evidence that there are people in this time who are at their level?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Some people have cited the saying of Allah the Exalted as evidence that some later Muslims can reach the rank of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Is their argument correct? And how should one respond to it?

Answer:
The essence of the verse is that it indicates what it states, neither from afar nor from near. Rather, the Exalted and Majestic is He said, "And those who followed them with excellence," and He did not say, "Whoever follows them with excellence will be like them in rank." For this reason, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Here, if someone were to spend a mountain like Uhud in pure gold, but it is possible that no one equals the mudd of barley or dates from others, because they have the distinction of companionship, in which no one can share with them.
Yes, the deed may be that some later people are upon righteous deeds, but where is their companionship? They did not meet the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). They were not distinguished by companionship; no one shares in it with them. Yes.