مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهُ وَ الَّذِیْنَ مَعَ اَشِدَّآءُ عَلَی الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَیْنَهُمْ تَرٰىهُمْ رُکَّعًا سُجَّدًا یَّبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَ رِضْوَانًا سِیْمَاهُمْ فِیْ وُجُوْهِهِمْ مِّنْ اَثَرِ السُّجُوْدِ ذٰلِکَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِی التَّوْرٰىةِ وَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِی الْاِنْجِیْلِ کَزَرْعٍ اَخْرَجَ شَطْئَه فَاٰزَرَه فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوٰی عَلٰی سُوْقِه یُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِیَغِیْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّ اَجْرًا عَظِیْمًا
Muhammad (ﷺ) is Allah’s Messenger and those with him are severe against the kuffar and compassionate among themselves. You will see them sometimes bowing, sometimes prostrating, seeking Allah’s bounty and His pleasure. Their hallmark is on their faces because of the effect of prostration. This is their description of the Torah. Their description of the Injil is like that of a plant that sprouts its shoots and strengthens it, after which it becomes thick and stands on its own stem, pleasing the farmer. So that the kuffar may be enraged by them. Allah has promised forgiveness and a grand reward for those of them who have iman and who do good deeds. Surah al Fath: 29
لَكِنِ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ جَاهَدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ وَأُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمُ الْخَيْرَاتُ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ.{التوبة:88}
But the Messenger (ﷺ) and those who believed with him (in Islamic Monotheism) strove hard and fought with their wealth and their lives (in Allah’s Cause). Such are they for whom are the good things, and it is they who will be successful. Surah Tawbah : 88
وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ.{الكهف:28}
And keep yourself (O Muhammad (ﷺ)) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them. Surah Kahf : 28
لَقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحاً قَرِيباً * وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً يَأْخُذُونَهَا {الفتح: 18ـ19}
Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their Bai’a (pledge) to you (O Muhammad (ﷺ)) under the tree, He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon them, and He rewarded them with a near victory. Surah Fath : 18
وَالسّٰبِقُوْنَ الْاَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُهٰجِرِیْنَ وَالْاَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِاِحْسَانٍ رَّضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ وَ اَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ تَحْتَهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا اَبَدًا ذٰلِکَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ
And the foremost pioneers of the Muhajirin (those who migrated from Makkah to Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Madinah who helped the Muhajirin) and also those who followed them exactly in virtue; Allah is well-pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. Surah al Tawbah: 100
وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ اٰمِنُوْا کَمَآ اٰمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُوْٓا اَنُؤْمِنُ کَمَآ اٰمَنَ السُّفََها ءُ اَلَآ اِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهاءُ وَلٰکِنْ لَّا یَعْلَمُوْنَ
And when it is said to them (the hypocrites): “Believe as the people (Sahabah) have believed,” they say: “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” Verily, they (the hypocrites) are the fools, but they know not. Surah al Baqarah: 13
عن زر بن حبيش عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ فَوَجَدَ قَلْبَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَيْرَ قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ فَاصْطَفَاهُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَابْتَعَثَهُ بِرِسَالَتِهِ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ بَعْدَ قَلْبِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَوَجَدَ قُلُوبَ أَصْحَابِهِ خَيْرَ قُلُوبِ الْعِبَادِ فَجَعَلَهُمْ وُزَرَاءَ نَبِيِّهِ يُقَاتِلُونَ عَلَى دِينِهِ فَمَا رَأَى الْمُسْلِمُونَ حَسَنًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ حَسَنٌ وَمَا رَأَوْا سَيِّئًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ سَيِّئٌ
3600 مسند أحمد بن حنبل 6/84 المحدث شعيب الأرناؤوط خلاصة حكم المحدث إسناده حسن في تخريج المسند لشعيب
Zirr ibn Hubaysh reported: Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Verily, Allah looked at the hearts of the servants, and He found that the heart of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was the best among them, so He chose him for Himself and He sent him with His message. Then, He looked at the hearts of His servants after Muhammad, and He found that the hearts of his companions were the best among them. Thus, He made them into the ministers of His Prophet, fighting for the sake of His religion. Whatever the Muslims view as good is good to Allah, and whatever they view as evil is evil to Allah.”
Musnad Ahmad 3600 Hasan according to Al-Arna’ut
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ قَوْمٌ تَسْبِقُ شَهَادَتُهُمْ أَيْمَانَهُمْ وَأَيْمَانُهُمْ شَهَادَتَهُمْ
6429 صحيح البخاري كتاب الرقاق باب ما يحذر من زهرة الدنيا والتنافس فيها
2533 صحيح مسلم كتاب فضائل الصحابة باب فضل الصحابة رضي الله تعالى عنهم ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Prophet, (ﷺ), said, “The best people are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then, there will come people after them whose testimony precedes their oaths and their oaths precede their testimony.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6429, Sahih Muslim 2533
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ بْنِ أَبَانَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ حُسَيْنٍ، – قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجُعْفِيُّ، – عَنْ مُجَمِّعِ بْنِ يَحْيَى، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ صَلَّيْنَا الْمَغْرِبَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لَوْ جَلَسْنَا حَتَّى نُصَلِّيَ مَعَهُ الْعِشَاءَ – قَالَ – فَجَلَسْنَا فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ ” مَا زِلْتُمْ هَا هُنَا ” . قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّيْنَا مَعَكَ الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا نَجْلِسُ حَتَّى نُصَلِّيَ مَعَكَ الْعِشَاءَ قَالَ ” أَحْسَنْتُمْ أَوْ أَصَبْتُمْ ” . قَالَ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَكَانَ كَثِيرًا مِمَّا يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقَالَ ” النُّجُومُ أَمَنَةٌ لِلسَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَتِ النُّجُومُ أَتَى السَّمَاءَ مَا تُوعَدُ وَأَنَا أَمَنَةٌ لأَصْحَابِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبْتُ أَتَى أَصْحَابِي مَا يُوعَدُونَ وَأَصْحَابِي أَمَنَةٌ لأُمَّتِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَصْحَابِي أَتَى أُمَّتِي مَا يُوعَدُونَ ” .
Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father:
We offered the sunset prayer along with Allah’s Apostle, (ﷺ), We then said: If we sit (along with Allah’s Messenger) and observe night prayer with him it would be very good, so we sat down and he came to us and said: You are still sitting here. I said: Allah’s Messenger, we observed evening prayer with you, then we said: Let us sit down and observe night prayer along with you, whereupon he said: You have done well or you have done right. He then lifted his head towards the sky and it often happened that as he lifted his head towards the sky, he said: The stars are a source of security for the sky and when the stars disappear there comes to the sky, i.e. (it meets the same fate) as it has been promised (it would plunge into darkness). And I am a source of safety and security to my Companions and when I would go away there would fall to the lot (of my Companions) as they have been promised with and my Companions are a source of security for the Ummah and as they would go there would fall to the lot of my Ummah as (its people) have been promised. Sahih Muslim 2531
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيُّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيَقُولُونَ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ. فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ. ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيُقَالُ هَلْ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ. فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ فَيَغْزُو فِئَامٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَيُقَالُ هَلْ فِيكُمْ مَنْ صَاحَبَ مَنْ صَاحَبَ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ. فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ ”.
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “A time will come upon the people, when a group of people will wage a holy war and it will be said, ‘Is there amongst you anyone who has accompanied Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, “Is there amongst you anynone who has accompanied the companions of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ And so victory will be bestowed on them. Then a time will come upon the people when a group of people will wage a holy war, and it will be said, “Is there amongst you anyone who has been in the company of the companions of the companions of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ And victory will be bestowed on them. Sahih al-Bukhari 3649
Rights of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ)
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَتَقَبَّلُ عَنْهُمْ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَنَتَجَاوَزُ عَن سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱلصِّدْقِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ
They are those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their evil deeds. (They shall be) among the dwellers of Paradise – a promise of truth, which they have been promised. Surah Ahqaf Ayah 16
Proof that Allah accepted their good Deeds and overlooked their evil deeds
تِلۡكَ أُمَّةٞ قَدۡ خَلَتۡۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبۡتُمۡۖ وَلَا تُسۡـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ
That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do.
Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 134
Proof we will not be asked about their mistakes
عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ أَصْحَابِي فَأَمْسِكُوا وَإِذَا ذُكِرَتِ النُّجُومُ فَأَمْسِكُوا وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ الْقَدَرُ فَأَمْسِكُوا
Thawban reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If my companions are mentioned, be restrained. If the stars are mentioned, be restrained. If the divine decree is mentioned, be restrained.
Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir lil-Tabarani 1427 – Hasan (fair) according to Al-Suyuti
We need to be restrained in our speech in regard to the Companions.
Allaah, the Most High, stated:
“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination.” (An-Nisa 4:115)
His saying:
وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“…and follows other than the believers’ way.”
Follow the way of the companions
The Prophet ﷺ described the sect of salvation in the hadeeth of the splitting of the Ummah.
This Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all of them will be in the Hellfire except for one. He was asked: “Who are they (the Saved Sect)?” He said: They are those who are upon that which I and my Companions are upon.
Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (4/126, 127); Abu Dawood in Kitaabus-Sunnah, Chapter: In Adhering to the Sunnah 4/200, 201 (4607); At-Tirmidhee in Kitaabul-‘Ilm,
Binding upon you is my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs after me – hold onto it with your molar teeth.
Reported by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad 3/229 (8404); Ibn Maajah in Kitaab al-Fitan, Chapter: The Splitting of the Ummah 2/1322
Do not Curse the Companions
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: اللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَصْحَابِي اللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَصْحَابِي لَا تَتَّخِذُوهُمْ غَرَضًا بَعْدِي فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُمْ فَبِحُبِّي أَحَبَّهُمْ وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَهُمْ فَبِبُغْضِي أَبْغَضَهُمْ وَمَنْ آذَاهُمْ فَقَدْ آذَانِي وَمَنْ آذَانِي فَقَدْ آذَى اللَّهَ وَمَنْ آذَى اللَّهَ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَهُ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Mughaffal: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “(Fear) Allah! (Fear) Allah regarding my Companions! Do not make them objects of insults after me. Whoever loves them, it is out of love of me that he loves them. And whoever hates them, it is out of hatred for me that he hates them. And whoever harms them, he has harmed me, and whoever harms me, he has offended Allah, and whoever offends Allah, [then] he shall soon be punished.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3862 Darussalam : Da’if (Weak)
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا تَسُبُّوا أَصْحَابِي فَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْفَقَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا مَا بَلَغَ مُدَّ أَحَدِهِمْ وَلَا نَصِيفَهُ
3673 صحيح البخاري كتاب فضائل الصحابة باب قول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لو كنت متخذا خليلا
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not insult my companions. If one of you were to spend the likes of mount Uhud in gold, it would not reach a small portion of theirs or even half of that.” Sahih Bukhari and Muslim
Aqeedah Books detailing how we should respect and act in regards to the companions.
Confirming and believing in their righteousness is an integral part of the faith, as it acknowledges the testimony that the Messenger, (ﷺ), fulfilled the commands of Allah. Slandering them equates to slandering their leader, guide, and teacher, (ﷺ). Moreover, slandering them paves the way for slandering the Holy Qur’an.
أبو زرعة: إذا رأيت الرجل ينتقص أحدا من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاعلم أنه زنديق، وذلك أن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم عندنا حق، والقرآن حق، وإنما أدى إلينا هذا القرآن والسنن أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وإنما يريدون أن يجرحوا شهودنا ليبطلوا الكتاب والسنة، والجرح بهم أولى، وهم زنادقة!!
Abu Zar‘ah ar-Raazi said:
If you see a man criticising any of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), then know that he is a heretic, because in our view the Messenger (ﷺ) is true and the Qur’aan is true. Rather this Qur’aan and the Sunnah were conveyed to us by the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). They only want to undermine the status of those who conveyed the Qur’aan (and the Sunnah) in order to undermine the validity of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. But it is more fitting that they be criticised, and they are heretics.
Al-Kifaayah fi ‘Ilm ar-Riwaayah, p. 49
Abu Abdullaah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal, (Born 164H) rahimahullāh, say:
أصول السنة عندنا:
التمسك بما كان عليه أصحاب رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) والاقتداء بهم
“The foundations of the Sunnah with us are: Holding fast to what the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ were upon.”
At-Tahaawee Al-Hanafi, (Born 239H) in his (book on the) Creed of Ahl- us-Sunnah:
“We love the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger. But we do not go to extremes in our love for anyone amongst them, nor do we absolve ourselves from any of them. And we hate anyone that hates them or anyone that talks about them in a bad way. And we do not mention them except with good. Loving them is Deen (Religion), Eemaan (Faith) and Ihsaan (Goodness) and hating them is Kufr (Disbelief), Nifaaq (hypocrisy) and Tughyaan (transgression).”
Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal said in his book as-Sunnah:
“And from the Sunnah is mentioning the good qualities of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger – all of them – and to refrain from (speaking about) what disputes occurred between them. So whoever reviles the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger or (just) one of them, then he is an innovator, a Raafidee. Loving them is a Sunnah and making du’aa (supplication) for them is a means of getting close to Allaah (taqarrub). Following them is a means and taking from their example is a virtue…”
And he said:
“It is not permissible for anyone to mention any of their faults. Nor can anyone disparage any of them. So whoever does that, then the authority (sultan) is obligated to reprimand him and punish him. And he is not to pardon him, but rather must punish him and then request him to repent. So if he repents, he should accept it from him. And if he doesn’t repent, he should reinitiate the punishment upon him and lock him in prison for good until he repents and recants (from his false belief).”
Concerning Speaking about their disputes particularly the Battles between them
Imam Shafi’i rahimahu Llah (Born 150H) states:
تلك دماء طهر الله عنها أيديـنا فلنطهر عنها ألسنتـنا
Allah has kept our hands pure from such blood (which was spilt in the Battles of Siffin and Jamal), so we should also keep our tongues clean from it as well.
Sharh al Mawaqif, vol. 8 pg. 374; Maktubat Imam-e Rabbani, letter: 251.
Ibrahim al Nakha’i rahimahu Llah (d. 95 A.H) states:
تلك دماء طهر الله أيدينا منها افـنلطخ ألسنتـنا
That is such blood with Allah has kept our hands clean from, are we going to now pollute our tongues with it?
Al Nahiyah, pg. 6.
Hassan al Basri rahimahu Llah (d. 110 A.H) says:
قتال شهده أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه و سلم و غبنا ، و علموا و جهلنا ، و اجتـمعوا فاتبعنا ، و اختلفوا فوقـفنا
These were battles that the Sahabah engaged in and we were not present. They were fully aware of all the circumstances relating to them and we are ignorant of that. We follow the Sahabah in whichever matter they were unanimous. We adopt silence concerning any matters about which they disputed.
Imam al Qurtubi: Jami’ al Ahkam al Qur’an, vol. 16 pg. 1322.
Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahu Llah (d. 150 A.H) says:
ما قاتل أحد عليًا إلا و علي أولى بالحق منه ، و لولا ما سار علي فيهم ما علم أحد كيف السيرة في المسلمين
Nobody engaged in battle against ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu except that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu was closer to the truth in that regard. If ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu did not interact with them in such a manner then nobody would have known how to react in an instance when there is a clash between Muslims.
Manaqib Imam-e A’zam, vol. 2 pg. 83-84.
وقال القرطبي :
” لا يجوز أن ينسب إلى أحد من الصحابة خطأ مقطوع به ، إذ كانوا كلهم اجتهدوا فيما فعلوه وأرادوا الله عز وجل ، وهم كلهم لنا أئمة ، وقد تعبدنا بالكف عما شجر بينهم ، وألا نذكرهم إلا بأحسن الذكر ، لحرمة الصحبة ولنهي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن سبهم ، وأن الله غفر لهم ، وأخبر بالرضا عنهم ” انتهى .
“تفسير القرطبي” (16/321)
Al-Qurtubi said:
It is not permissible to attribute any deliberate mistake to any of the Sahaabah, because they based all their actions on what they believed was right and proper, and their intention was to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. They are all examples for us to follow and Allah has instructed us to refrain from discussing the disagreements that arose among them, and we should only mention them in the best way, because of the sanctity of their being Companions of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade reviling them; moreover, Allah has forgiven them and told us that He is pleased with them. End quote. “Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 16/321
وقال ابن أبي زيد القيرواني وهو بصدد عرضه لما يجب أن يعتقده المسلم في أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وما ينبغي أن يذكروا به قال : ” وأن لا يذكر أحد من صحابة الرسول إلا بأحسن ذكر ، والإمساك عما شجر بينهم ، وأنهم أحق الناس أن يلتمس لهم أحسن المخارج ، ويظن بهم أحسن المذاهب ” انتهى .
“عقيدة أهل السنة والجماعة في الصحابة الكرام” (2/734)
Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaani said, when discussing what the Muslim is obliged to believe about the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and what should be said about them: No one of the Companions of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) should be mentioned except in the best of terms, and we should refrain from discussing the disputes that arose among them. They are the most deserving of people to have their words and actions interpreted in the best manner and to be thought of in the best terms. End quote.
‘Aqeedat Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah fi’s-Sahaabah al-Kiraam, 2/734
Ibn Abee Zayd Al-Qayrawaanee Maliki (Born 310H) said in the introduction to his famous ar-Risaalah, in which he explains the Creed of Ahl-us-Sunnah:
“The best of generations is the one that saw the Messenger of Allaah. And the best of the Companions are the (four) rightly guided Khaleefahs – Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan, then ‘Alee, may Allaah be pleased with them all. None of the Companions should be mentioned except in the best of manners. We believe in refraining from (speaking about) the differences that occurred between them. And that they are the most deserving of people of having excuses made for them and (that) they are to be thought of in the best way.”
وقال أبو عبد الله بن بطة – رحمه الله – أثناء عرضه لعقيدة أهل السنة والجماعة : ” ومن بعد ذلك نكف عما شجر بين أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ؛ فقد شهدوا المشاهد معه وسبقوا الناس بالفضل ، فقد غفر الله لهم وأمرك بالاستغفار لهم والتقرب إليه بمحبتهم ، وفرض ذلك على لسان نبيه وهو يعلم ما سيكون منهم وأنهم سيقتتلون ، وإنما فضلوا على سائر الخلق لأن الخطأ والعمد قد وضع عنهم ، وكل ما شجر بينهم مغفور لهم ” .
“كتاب الشرح والإبانة على أصول السنة والديانة” (ص/268)
Abu ‘Abdullah ibn Battah (may Allah have mercy on him) (Born 304H) said, discussing the beliefs of Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah: After that we should refrain from discussing the disputes that arose among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), for they witnessed great events with him and were the first people to attain virtue; Allah has forgiven them and has instructed us to pray for forgiveness for them and to draw close to Him by means of loving them, as He has enjoined on the lips of His Prophet. He knew what would happen among them and that they would fight; however they were given precedence over the rest of mankind because mistakes, whether deliberate or otherwise, were already forgiven for them, and they have been forgiven for all disputes that arose among them.
Kitaab ash-Sharh wa’l-Ibaanah ‘ala Usool as-Sunnah wa’d-Diyaanah, p. 268
وقال أبو عثمان الصابوني وهو بصدد عرض عقيدة السلف وأصحاب الحديث :
” ويرون الكف عما شجر بين أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وتطهير الألسنة عن ذكر ما يتضمن عيباً ونقصاً فيهم ، ويرون الترحم على جميعهم والموالاة لكافتهم ” .
“عقيدة السلف وأصحاب الحديث – ضمن مجموعة الرسائل المنيرية” (1/129)
Abu ‘Uthmaan as-Saaboni said, discussing the belief of the Salaf and scholars of hadeeth:
They believed that we should refrain from discussing the disputes that arose among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and that we should avoid saying anything that may be construed as criticism of them; we should pray for mercy for all of them and love all of them.
‘Aqeedat as-Salaf wa Ashaab al-Hadeeth, in Majmoo‘at ar-Rasaa’il al-Muneeriyyah, 1/129
Trustworthy in Narration
Hafiz Abu Bakr Al Khatib al Baghdadi rahimahu Llah (d. 463 A.H) explains:
فلا يحتاج أحد منهم مع تعديل الله تعالى لهم ، المطلع على بواطنهم الى تعديل أحد من الخلق
The Sahabah are not in need of anyone of the creation to declare their righteousness, when Allah who is aware of their inner-selves has already done so.
Ibn al Athir al Jazari rahimahu Llah (d. 630 A.H) writes:
و الصحابة يشاركون سائر الرواة في جميع ذلك الا في الجرح و التعديل فانهم كلهم عدول لا يتطرق اليهم الجرح لأن الله عز و جل و رسوله زكاهم و عدلاهم و ذلك مشهور لا نحتاج لذكره
The Sahabah are similar to other narrators in all aspects except in their credibility, since all of them were reliable and credible. They cannot be criticised since Allah and the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam have declared their integrity. Their authenticity is well-known and needs no elaboration.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
One of the basic principles of Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah is that they think of and speak of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the best terms, as Allah, may He be exalted, has described them (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who came after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful” [al-Hashr 59:10].
And that is in obedience to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “Do not revile my Companions, do not revile my Companions, for by the One Whose hand is my soul, if one of you were to spend the equivalent of Uhud in gold [in charity], it would not be equivalent to the mudd [a unit of measure] of one of them or half of that.”
They accept what is said in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and are unanimously agreed on their virtues and status.
They do not believe that any of the Sahaabah are infallible and were protected from major or minor sins; rather it is possible that they may have committed sins in general, but they did a great deal of righteous deeds and attained virtues by means of which they were forgiven for whatever sins they committed, to such an extent that they were forgiven for bad deeds for which no one who came after them was forgiven, because they did good deeds that erased bad deeds, in a manner that was not granted to anyone who came after them.
Moreover, if one of them did commit a sin, then he would have repented from it, or done good deeds that erased it, or have been forgiven for it by virtue of his being one of the first to come to Islam, or by means of the intercession of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) of which they are the most deserving of people, or by being tested with a calamity in this world by means of which it was expiated – if this is the case with regard to real sins, then how about the matters in which they based their actions on what they thought best (ijtihaad): if they got it right they will have two rewards and if they got it wrong they will have one reward and the mistake will be forgiven?
Moreover the amount of objectionable actions that some of them may have done is very little and insignificant in comparison to their virtues and good characteristics such as belief in Allah and His Messenger, jihad for the sake of Allah, migration (Hijrah), supporting (the religion of Allah), beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.
Anyone who studies their biographies with knowledge and insight, and sees what Allah bestowed upon them of virtues, will realise for certain that they are the best of people after the Prophets; there never was and there will never be anyone like them. They are the elite of this ummah, which is the best of nations and the dearest of them to Allah, may He be exalted. End quote. “Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 3/152-153”
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:
According to the consensus of Ahl as-Sunnah, it is obligatory to refrain from slandering any of the Companions (Sahaabah) due to the disputes that occurred among them. This obligation remains even if one is aware of who was correct in those disputes. This is because the Companions engaged in those conflicts based on their personal judgments (ijtihaad), and Allah, may He be exalted, has pardoned those who made errors in their judgments. In fact, it is established that the one who errs in their judgment (ijtihaad), will still be rewarded, while the one who is correct will receive even greater rewards. End quote “Fath al-Baari, 13/34 “
Ahlul-Hadith 