THE VIRTUES OF THE COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET
All praise is for Alláh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Alláh, the Finality of the Prophets, and upon his family, Companions and anyone that follows in their footsteps until the Day of Judgement. My brothers in Islam, Allah(swt) says:
“And the foremost to embrace Islám of the Muhájirün (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of AI-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirún and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith).
Alláh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him.” (9:100)
“Muhammad(pbuh) is the Messenger of Alláh, And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Alláh and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e., of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurát (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Alláh has promised those among them who believe (i.e., all those who follow Islámic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e., Paradise).” (48:29)
These verses and many others have one common theme. That is the excellence of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh). The Companions of the Prophet(pbuh) were the first people that carried the Message of Islam to the world. They were the defenders of Islam. They were the ones that fought and struggled for the sake of raising the Word of Allah(swt) and propagating His Message. Through them, Allah(swt) delivered His religion and made it victorious. Therefore, they were the group who if Allah(swt) had not made them victorious at that time of history, He would never have been worshipped again. At that time the Prophet(pbuh)looked at them and rose his hands praying to Allah(swt) saying:
“O Alláh! Should this group be defeated (on this day) you will no longer be worshipped.”
Many verses and Ahadith focus on the excellence of the Companions. They were the ones that believed in Allah(swt) and His Messenger(pbuh). They supported the Messenger(pbuh), protected him and followed the guidance he brought. They certainly were the best people and the most honored by Allah(swt) after the Prophets. The Book of Allah(swt)and the Sunnah of the Messenger(pbuh) have emphasized their piety, honesty, credibility and devotion to Qur’án and Sunnah. For this the Messenger of Alláh(swt) pointed out their excellence and warned us against denying them their proper status which they deserve, or even forgetting this status with the passage of time. He further recommended that they be considered and regarded as long as life goes on just like his own family. He said:
“Fear Alláh in anything regarding my Companions. If any one of you offered as much as (mount) Uhud in charity, he would not achieve the reward equal to a (Mudd) half bushel weight of theirs, nor half of that.”
Furthermore, the Messenger of Alláh(pbuh) advised that they be loved, revered and perceived respectfully. One day, the Messenger of Alláh(pbuh) heard Khalid bin AI-Waleed bickering with Abdur-Rahman Bin Awf. You all know that Khalid was one of the Companions, but he was one of the late ones, whereas Abdur- Rahman was one of the early Companions of the Messenger of Alláh(pbuh). When the Messenger of Alláh(pbuh) heard Khalid raising his voice over Abdur-Rahman’s voice he said:
“Would you not leave my Companions (alone)? Do not insult them. By Alláh if you offered as much charity as [mount] Uhud, it would not be equal to a (Mudd) half bushel weight of theirs, nor half of that.”
Thus a Companion of the later days did not have the same excellence that an early Companion hado A behavior like raising the voice was considered an insult to the early Companion. If this behavior coming from a late Companion like Khalid deserved the anger of Alláh(swt) and His Messenger(pbuh), what would you say about those who criticize, accuse and even slander the Companions of the Prophet(pbuh)? Don’t they realize that by doing so they hurt the Messenger(pbuh) himself?
The Companions of the Prophet relayed the book of Alláh(swt) to the people. They also conveyed the path and Sunnah of Muhammad(pbuh). Therefore, if anyone discredits them or accuses them of being such and such; he not only denies their excellence over and favor upon all the people after the Prophet(pbuh), but also challenges the authenticity of the message conveyed. It is therefore, a challenge to the origin of Islam. In other words, by discrediting and putting down the Companions of Muhammad(pbuh), one is questioning the credibility of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh), and turning away from the Book of Alláh and the Sunnah of the Prophet(pbuh). Discrediting the Companions is discrediting the trustworthy narrators that transmitted the Book of Allah(swt) to us and the Sunnah of the Messenger(pbuh). This will lead those who accuse the Companions and discredit them to doubt the authenticity of the Qur’ án and Sunnah, which inevitably willlead them to reject the Message itself, which is Islam.
To acknowledge the trustworthiness of all the Companions and abstain from cursing them, criticizing them, or disparaging them, are parts of safeguarding the Book of Alláh(swt) and the Sunnah of the Messenger(pbuh),as well as Islam itself. On the other hand, Committing any of the above, or getting oneself involved in any of the Companions’ disputes among each other, or putting some of them down in order to honor others, shall only lead to disqualifying Islam and its bearers. The trustworthiness of the Companions of the Prophet(pbuh) was established by the Qur’án and confirmed by the Messenger of Allah(pbuh). The accusations made by some people against the Companions will eventually reach the Messenger of Allah(pbuh)whether they know it or not. It is also a fact that whenever someone assails the companions of the Prophet of Allah(pbuh), he starts trespassing the limits that Allah(swt) has set, against which no one should trespass. By doing so, he will eventually start rejecting the teachings of Islam.
My brothers in Islam, preserve the reverence for the Messenger(pbuh), his Companions and his family in your heart and demonstrate it by your actions. Allah(swt) and His Messenger(pbuh) loved the Companions. For that reason, we should also love them. Refrain from involvement in anything that might lead to questioning them or belittling their achievements. Beware of the people who discredit them, object to their opinions or mock their achievements. Those sick-hearted people’s only intention is to doubt the authenticity of the Qur’án and the Sunnah of the Prophet js. Beware of them if you want to protect your faith and safeguard the Message of your Prophet(pbuh). They are cursed ones for whom Allah(swt) has prepared a great torment for their attacks on the integrity of the Messenger of Allah(pbuh) and the doubts they raised against Islam. By this,
I conclude my speech and therefore ask Allah(swt) for forgiveness.
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John Doe
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