that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The parable of my Ummah is that of a rain; it is not known if its beginning is better or its end."
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 44, Hadith 12
← Previous Hadith Another chain reports a similar narration.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 44, Hadith 11 Next Hadith → from his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Do you know what the parable of this and this is?" - and he tossed two pebbles. They said: "Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know better." He said: "This (the farther) one is hope, and this (closer) one is death."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 44, Hadith 13