In defense of the Companions

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

All the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم were `Adool (just) and Sudooq (truthful). We do not revile anyone of them, nor do we mention them except in goodness.

Whatever took place between `Alee, Mu`aawiyah and some of the other Companions, رضي الله عنهم اجمعين, then we remain silent about this. They will get twice the reward for their correct judgments and decisions, and they will still be rewarded for their incorrect decisions. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. agrees with Allaah and His Apostle's verdict) he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, (i.e. against that of Allaah and His Apostle) even then he will get a reward.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

Those who speak ill of the Sahaabah, speak ill about Allaah and His Messenger. For verily, Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم were pleased with them; but these evildoers were and are not.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allaah's Cause) it would not be equal to a Mudd or even a half Mudd spent by one of them.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Haafidh `Abul Qaasim ibn `Asaakir has documented in Tareekh Dimashq that Imaam al-Nasaa’i was asked about Mu`aawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan رضي الله عنه. His reply was: “Islaam is like a house with a door. The door of Islaam are the Sahaabah. Whoever speaks ill of the Sahaabah seeks but to harm Islaam, just like one who knocks a door to enter a house. As for Mu`aawiyah, whoever speaks ill of him seeks to find a way to speak ill of the Sahaabah.” [Tahdheeb al-Kamaal, vol. 1 p. 338-339]

And we have been instructed by Allaah to seek forgiveness for them:

{(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking bounties from Allaah and to please Him, and helping Allaah (i.e. helping His religion – Islamic Monotheism) and His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say).

And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madeenah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banû An-Nadeer), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful.

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.} [Surah al-Hashr (59): 8-10]

The first of these three ayaat is in reference to the Muhajireen (the Emigrants – who migrated from Makkah to Madeenah). The second ayah refers to the Ansaar (the Sahaabah who already lived in Madeenah and helped and accommodated the Muhaajireen). The third ayah refers to all those who will come after the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar till the day of Judgment, seeking Allaah’s forgiveness for them, and asking Allaah not to put hatred in their hearts for them. There is nothing beyond these three groups except for one who deserts them and falls into the trap of the Devil. This is why `Aaishah رضي الله عنها explained to `Urwah bin al-Zubair the condition of some of those who deserted them and thus were forsaken:

“O, the son of my sister, the Muslims were commanded to seek forgiveness for the Companions of Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم but they reviled them.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Abu Zur`ah said: “If you see a man seeking to belittle anyone amongst the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, then know that he is a Zindeeq (heretic). This is because according to us the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم is true and the Qur’aan is true. And the only ones who brought this Qur’aan and the Sunan to us are the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger. They only wish to disparage and demolish our witnesses so that they can nullify the Book and the Sunnah, whereas they are more deserving of being disparaged for they are the Zanaadiqah (heretics).” [Taareekh Baghdaad (38/132)]