CHAPTER TWO: CLOSE COMPANIONS – PART 1
How the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with his close Companions
Introduction:
The high status of the Companions of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is well known, for they are the most pure hearted of this nation, the most knowledgeable, the least pretentious, and the most rightly guided, and in the best state. They are a people whom Allah chose to be the Companions of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and to establish the religion.
Allah has praised them in many verses, such as His statement (which means): «And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajiroun and the Ansaar and those who followed them with good conduct, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.» [Quran: 9:100]
The Companions of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had different ranks, as Ibn Taymiyyah (a scholar) said: “The word Sahaabah (Companions) is a name that indicates anyone who accompanied the Prophet of Allah, whether for a short or long time. So every one of them has a companionship accordingly, so whoever accompanied him for one year, or a month, or an hour, or simply saw him while believing in him, has a level of companionship according to that (length of time).” (Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa (464/4))
Our topic here will be the conduct of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with his close Companions who were constantly around him. The most famous of them are names like Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan, ‘Ali, Zubayr, ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood, Hudhayfah ibn Al-Yaman, and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf. The closest of all of them to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. As ‘Ali
said: “I used to constantly hear the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say: ‘I went with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, I entered with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, I left with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3685) and Muslim (2389).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, openly stated his love for them:
‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas (a Companion) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, put him in charge of the army in the Battle of Thaat As-Salasil. He said: “I came to him and asked, “Who is the most beloved of people to you” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: ‘’Aa’ishah.’ I said: ‘From the men?’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: ‘Her father.’ I asked, ‘And then who?’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘’Then ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3662) and Muslim (2384).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not accept for anyone to speak badly of them:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (a Companion) narrated that there was an altercation between Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, so Khaalid reviled him. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Do not curse my Companions, for if one of you spent [as much as] Mount Uhud in gold, it would not be equal to the two handfuls of one of them, or even half of that [of food he spends in charity].” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3673) and Muslim (2541).)
The intent of the Prophet’s statement: “My Companions,” is his closest Companions, the ones who became Muslim before the conquest of Makkah, and accompanied him for a long time, and fought, gave charity, migrated, and helped the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Thus, the early Companions from the Muhaajiroon and Ansaar are better than the rest of the Companions after them. This meaning is indicated by the fact that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was speaking to
Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed and he was one of the Companions of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, at the time.
Ibn Hajar said: “The prohibition of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, against some of the later Companions cursing those Companions who became Muslim before them, necessitates that those who came after the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, are even more strongly prohibited from cursing those Companions who were before them.” (Fat-h Al-Baari (34/7).)
If this is what the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed and the other Companions who become Muslim after Hudaybiyah, then what do you think he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would say about a person that was not from his Companions and was speaking badly about them?
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, respected his close Companions and ordered the people to give them the due respect:
Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (a Companion) narrated:
“There was an argument between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar and Abu Bakr made ‘Umar angry, so ‘Umar left him. Abu Bakr then followed him, asking ‘Umar to forgive him, but he did not, until he shut his door in Abu Bakr’s face. Then Abu Bakr went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. While I was sitting with the Prophet
of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Abu Bakr came, lifting up one corner of his garment until his knee showed. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Your Companion has had a quarrel.” Abu Bakr greeted him and said: “O Messenger of Allah! There was something (i.e. an argument) between me and the son of Al-Khattaab and I talked to him harshly and then regretted that, and requested him to forgive me, but he refused to do that. So I came to you.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said three times: “May Allah forgive you, O Abu Bakr.”
Then ‘Umar regretted (that he did not forgive him), and he went to Abu Bakr’s house and asked if Abu Bakr was there. They replied that he was not. So he came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and greeted him, and the face of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, changed (due to anger). Upon seeing this, Abu Bakr knelt down on his knees and said: “O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I was more unjust (than him).” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allah sent me to you, but you said: ‘You are telling a lie,’ while Abu Bakr said: ‘He
has said the truth,’ and he consoled me with himself and his money.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said twice, “Won’t you then give up harming my Companion?” After that nobody harmed Abu Bakr.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (3661).)
Rabee’ah Al-Aslami (a Companion) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave me a piece of land, and gave Abu Bakr a piece of land. Then, the worldly life came and we argued over some palm trees. I said: “It is in my land,” and Abu Bakr said: “It is in my land!” Then, there was an exchange of words between Abu Bakr and myself and Abu Bakr said something to me he disliked, and then he regretted that.
So, he said to me: “O Rabee’ah! Say back to me what I said to you, so that it would be recompense.” I said: “I will not.” Abu Bakr said: “Say it, or I will complain to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about you!” I said: “I am not going to do it.”
So, Abu Bakr went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and I went after him. The people from (the tribe of) Aslam came and said: “May Allah have mercy upon Abu Bakr! How can he complain to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about you when he has said to you what he has said?” I said: “Do you know who that is? That is Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq! He is the one who was the companion of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, when they hid in the cave (during the migration journey from Makkah to Madinah), and he is the elder of the Muslims! Be careful that he does not turn around and see you helping me against him, so he will become angry. When he goes to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he will become angry because of Abu Bakr’s anger, then Allah will become angry for both of their anger, and then Rabee’ah will be destroyed!”
They asked: “So, what do you want us to do?” I said: “Return back.” Abu Bakr went to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and I followed him by myself and continued until he got to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and informed him of our argument as it happened.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, raised his head to me and said: “O Rabee’ah! What is going on between you and As-Siddeeq?” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, such and such happened, and he said something to me that he disliked, and he
told me to say the same thing back to him so that it would be recompense, but I refused.”
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Yes, do not return his comment to him. Rather, say ‘May Allah forgive you, O Abu Bakr!’“ So I said: ‘May Allah forgive you, O Abu Bakr!’”
So, Abu Bakr went away crying.” (Reported by Ahmad (16143).)
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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