And indeed the Companions conveyed from Allâh's Messenger that which he was sent with from guidance, in the most complete and perfect form. So they will have the greatest of rewards due to their companionship of Allâh's Messenger, their fighting in Jihâd alongside him and their noble actions in spreading Islâm.

And they will also have the same reward as those who come after them, since they serve as the intermediaries between them and Allâh's Messenger. This is because:

"Whoever calls towards guidance, he will have a reward like that of the reward earned by those who practice that guidance after him. And it will not detract anything away from their reward." [1 ]

This has been established on the Prophet (saws) in a hadîth reported by Muslim in his Sahîh. Allâh has praised them in His Mighty Book and the Messenger of Allâh has praised them in his purified Sunnah. And this is enough for them as a virtue and honor.

Allâh says:

"And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirîn and the Ansâr and also those who followed them in goodness, Allâh is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. Allâh has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." [Sûrah At-Tawbah: 100]

And He says:

"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allâh. And those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, merciful towards one another. You can see them bowing and prostrating (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allâh and (His) Good Pleasure. Their marks (of Faith) are on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration. This is their description in the Torah. But their description in the Gospel is like that of a cultivated seed, which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong and becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, pleasing the farmers, that he may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allâh has promised those among them who believe and do good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward." [Sûrah Al-Fat'h: 29]

In Allâh's saying concerning the Sahâbah:"that he may enrage the disbelievers with them", there is found the severest ruling, the harshest threat and the worst of warnings for those who are enraged by the Sahâbah or those who have some hatred for them in their hearts.

Allâh says:

” Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the Victory (Treaty of Hudaybiyah) [i.e. they are not equal to those who came after the Victory]. They are higher in degree than those who spent and fought (in Allâh's Cause) afterward. But to all, Allâh has promised the best reward. And Allâh is All-Aware of what you do." [Sûrah Al-Hadîd: 10]

Concerning the distribution of war-booty, Allâh says:

"(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and properties, seeking bounties from Allâh and looking to please Him, and helping Allâh and His Messenger. These are the truthful ones. And (it is also) for those who before them, had homes (in Madînah) and then accepted the Faith (Islâm). They are the ones who love those who migrated to them, and they have no jealousy in their hearts for that which they (Muhâjirîn) have been given (of booty from Banu Nâdir). Instead, they give them preference over themselves even though they had more of a need for it than them. And whoever guards himself from his own miserliness, then these will be the successful. And those who come after them say: 'Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who 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.'" [Sûrah Al-Hashr: 8-10]

The first of these three ayât from Surat Al-Hashr is in reference to the Muhâjirîn (the Sahâbah who migrated from Makkah to Madînah). The second ayah refers to the Ansâr (the Sahâbah who resided in Madînah and who helped and took in the Muhâjirîn). The third ayah refers to those who will come after the Muhâjirîn and the Ansâr, and who seek Allâh's forgiveness for them, and ask Allâh not to put hatred in their hearts for them. And there is nothing beyond these three groups except for one who deserts (them) and falls into one of the traps of the Devil. This is why 'آ'ishah (râ) told 'Urwah Ibn Az-Zubair concerning the condition of some of those who deserted and were forsaken:

"They were commanded to seek forgiveness for the Companions of Allâh's Messenger, but they (instead) reviled them."

Imâm Muslim transmitted this report in the last part of his Sahîh. An-Nawawî said in his explanation of it, after mentioning the ayah in Sûrah Al-Hashr:

"Imâm Mâlik used this as proof for his ruling that the one who reviles the Sahâbah has no right to the war-booty. This is because Allâh only made it for those who seek forgiveness for them from amongst those who come after them."

Ibn Kathîr said in his tafsîr of this ayah:

"How great is the ruling that Imâm Mâlik derived from this ayah, in that the Râfidî - the one who reviles the Companions - has no portion of the wealth from the war-booty, due to his lack of characterizing himself with the attributes of those whom Allâh has praised in His saying: 'Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers 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.'"

The Prophet (saws) said: "The best of mankind is my generation, then those that come after them, then those that come after them." ^[2]Reported by Al-Bukhârî, Muslim and others from the report of 'Imrân Ibn Husayn and 'Abdullâh Ibn Mas'ûd, may Allâh be pleased with both of them. Muslim reported it on the authority of Abu Hurairah with the wording: "The best among my nation (ummah) is the generation I was sent to - then those that come after them, then those that come after them." Allâh knows best if he mentioned the third or not. Muslim also reported it from 'آ'ishah that she said: "A man once asked the Prophet: 'Which people are the best?' So he responded: 'The generation of people that I am in (now, then the second (generation), then the third’.'" It is reported in the two Sahîhs (of Al-Bukhârî and Muslim) from the narration of Abu Sa'îd Al-Khudrî (râ) that the Messenger of Allâh (saws) said:

"There will come upon the people a time in which a group of people will fight (in Jihâd), and it will be said: 'Is there anyone amongst you who accompanied Allâh's Messenger?' (I.e. the Sahâbah) They will reply 'Yes' and so they will be given victory. Then there will come upon the people a time in which a group of people will fight (in Jihâd), and it will be said: 'Is there anyone amongst you who accompanied the Companions of Allâh's Messenger?' (I.e. The Tâbi'în) They will reply 'Yes' and so they will be given victory. Then there will come upon the people a time in which a group of people will fight (in Jihâd), and it will be said: 'Is there anyone amongst you who accompanied those who accompanied the Companions of Allâh's Messenger?' (I.e. The Atbâ' At-Tâbi'în) They will reply 'Yes' and so they will be given victory." [3]

Ibn Battah reported with an authentic chain of narration - according to Minhâj As-Sunnah of Ibn Taimiyyah - from Ibn 'Abbâs (râ), that he said:

"Do not revile the Companions of Allâh's Messenger, for one hour spent with Allâh's Messenger by one of them is better than a good deed of one of you (done) for forty years."

In the wording reported by Wakî', he says: "...better than a good deed of one of you (done) for his entire life."

And when Sa'îd Ibn Zayd (râ) mentioned the ten Companions who were given the good tidings of (entering) Paradise, he said:

"I swear by Allâh, the meeting of one man amongst them with the Messenger of Allâh is better than the deed of one of you, even if he does it for the length of Nûh's life." Reported by Abu Dawûd and At-Tirmidhî. [4]

Jâbir reported that: "It was once said to 'آ'ishah: 'There are some people that seek to lower the Companions of Allâh's Messenger, even Abu Bakr and 'Umar.' So she said: 'And you are not pleased with this? Their deeds came to an end, but Allâh loved that their reward not come to an end.'"

Ibn Al-Athîr mentioned this in his book Jâmi'-ul-Usûl. What provides evidence for what she said is the saying of the Prophet in the authentic hadîth:

"The bankrupt person from my ummah will come on the Day of Judgement with prayer, fasting and Zakât. But he also abused this person, slandered that person, took money wrongfully from this person, spilled the blood of that one, and beat this one. So some of his good deeds will be given to this person and some of them to that person. So if his good deeds run out before he makes up for what is against him, he will take from their sins and they will be charged against him. And then he will be flung into the Hellfire." [5]

Al-Bukhârî reported in his Sahîh on the authority of Abu Sa'îd Al-Khudrî (râ) that the Prophet (saws) said:

"Do not revile my Companions! For if one of you were to give away the size of mount Uhud in gold for charity, it would not equal a mudd (handful using two hands cupped together) of one of them nor even half of it."

Muslim reported it in his Sahîh on the authority of Abu Hurairah (râ) that the Prophet (saws) said:

"Do not revile my Companions! Do not revile my Companions! For by the One whose Hand my soul is in, if one of you were to give away the size of mount Uhud in gold for charity, it would not equal a mudd of one of them nor even half of it."

He also reported it from Abu Sa'îd (râ) with the wording:

"There was a dispute between Khâlid Ibn Al-Walîd and 'Abdur-Rahmân Ibn 'Awf, so Khâlid reviled him. So Allâh's Messenger (saws) said: "Do not revile anyone from my Companions. For if one of you were to give away the size of mount Uhud in gold for charity, it would not equal a mudd of one of them nor even half of it."

So if the Sword of Allâh, Khâlid Ibn Al-Walîd and others who accepted Islâm after the treaty of Hudaybiyah cannot have their large amount of good deeds compare to the small amount performed by 'Abdur-Rahmân Ibn 'Awf and others who accepted Islâm previously - even though all of them are honored by accompanying the Prophet - then how is it for those who did not attain the honor of (being from) the Companions as compared to those superior individuals? Truly the distance is great and indeed the difference is far! So how far is the ground from the sky, rather how far is the seventh (lowest) level of earth from the seventh (highest) level of heaven! This is the bounty of Allâh, which He bestows upon whom He wills. And Allâh possesses the greatest of bounties!

These are some of the Qur'ânic ayât and prophetic ahâdîth that provide evidence for the virtue of these best of people, the like of which did not exist before and will not exist afterward. May Allâh be pleased with them.

All of the Companions of Allâh's Messenger are trustworthy based on Allâh's testifying that for them and because of His praise for them and the praise of His Messenger for them. An-Nawawî said in At-Taqrîb, which As-Suyûtî explained in his Tadrîb Ar-Râwî:

"All of the Companions are trustworthy - those who were involved in the afflictions (fitan) and those other than them - according to the consensus of the scholars."

Al-Hâfidh Ibn Hajr said in Al-Isâbah:

"Ahl-us-Sunnah have unanimously agreed that all of them (the Sahâbah) are trustworthy and no one opposed this except some deviants amongst the innovators."

This is why there is no harm in not knowing a Companion in a chain of narration. So if a Tâbi'î says: "On the authority of a man who accompanied the Prophet..." this does not affect the report. This is because not knowing the Companions (in the chain) causes no harm since they are all trustworthy. Al-Khatîb Al-Baghdâdî said in his book Al-Kifâyah:

"Every hadîth that has a chain of narration that is connected between the one who reported it and the Prophet is not to be acted upon until first having affirmed the trustworthiness and reliability of its men (in the chain). And it is an obligation to investigate into their conditions, except the Sahâbî (Companion) who raises it (or attributes the hadîth) to the Prophet. This is because the trustworthiness of the Companions is established and well known based on Allâh's asserting that for them and His informing us of their pure state and His preference of them in the texts of the Qur'ân..."

Then he goes on to list some ayât and ahâdîth concerning their virtue and then says:

"And even if Allâh or His Messenger (saws) had not mentioned anything about them from what we just stated now (of their virtues), the condition they were upon of having made Hijrah, fought in Jihâd, of having offered their support, sacrificed their lives and wealth, experienced the killings of their parents and children, of mutually advising for the Religion and having strong Faith and unshakeable Certainty, (all of this) would necessitate their trustworthiness and one having a firm belief in their honesty and integrity. And it would necessitate that they are the best of those that receive testimony and approval as to their trustworthiness and reliability from all of the people that will come after them forever and ever."

Then he reports a narration with the chain connected to Abu Zur'ah, who said:

"If you see a man seeking to belittle anyone amongst the Companions of Allâh's Messenger (saws), then know that he is a heretic (zindîq). This is because according to us the Messenger of Allâh is true and the Qur'ân is true. And the only ones who brought this Qur'ân and the Sunan (plural of Sunnah) to us are the Companions of Allâh'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 heretics (zanâdiqah)."

The madh-hab of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamâ'ah concerning the Companions is that of moderateness between the two ends of extremism and heedlessness. It is moderateness between the extremist fanatics who elevate the esteemed ones amongst them to a level that is only befitting for Allâh or for His messengers and between the heedless and harsh ones who belittle and revile them. So they are in the middle between those who are excessive and those who fall short - they love all of them and put each one of them in his due place, which they deserve, with fairness and justice. So they do not elevate them to that which they are not deserving of, nor do they belittle them, taking away what they are deserving of. Therefore, their tongues are moist with mentioning them only in good, according to what is befitting for them. And their hearts are filled with love for them.

And whatever is authentic from the disputes and differences that occurred between (some of) them, then with regard to that they were Mujtahidîn. Either they were correct and so they will receive a reward for their Ijtihâd and a reward for being correct or they were wrong and so they will receive just a reward for their Ijtihâd while their error will be forgiven. They were not infallible, for they were human beings, at times they were correct and at times they were in error. But how much more were they correct as compared to others being correct, and how fewer were their errors as compared to the errors of others? And they will have Allâh's forgiveness and contentment.

The books of Ahl-us-Sunnah are filled with the elucidation of this pure and clear Creed concerning these elite people, the chosen ones amongst mankind to accompany the best of mankind (saws). May Allâh be pleased with them all.

An example of this is the statement of At-Tahâwî in his (book on the) Creed of Ahl-us-Sunnah:

"We love the Companions of Allâh's Messenger and we do not go to extremes in the 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 Dîn, خmân and Ihsân and hating them is Kufr, Nifâq (hypocrisy) and Tughyân (transgression)."

Ibn Abî Zayd Al-Qayrawânî said in the introduction to his famous Ar-Risâlah, where he explains the Creed of Ahl-us-Sunnah:

"And the best of generations is the one that saw the Messenger of Allâh. And the best of the Companions are the (four) rightly guided Khalîfahs - Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthmân, then 'Alî, may Allâh be pleased with them all. And 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."

Imâm Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said in his book As-Sunnah:

"And from the Sunnah is mentioning the good qualities of the Companions of Allâh's Messenger - all of them - and to refrain from (speaking about) what disputes occurred between them. So whoever reviles the Companions of Allâh's Messenger or (just) one of them, then he is an innovator, a Râfidî. Loving them is a Sunnah and making du'â (supplication) for them is a means of getting close to Allâh (taqarrub). Following them is a means and taking from their examples 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)."

Imâm Abu 'Uthmân As-Sâbûnî said in his book 'Aqîdat-us-Salaf wa Ashâb-il-Hadîth:

"And they held it an obligation to refrain from (speaking about) the differences that occurred between the Companions of Allâh's Messenger and to purify the tongues from mentioning anything that consists of a blemish on them or a degradation of them. And they held it an obligation to ask Allâh for mercy for all of them and to show friendship to all of them."

Shaikh-ul-Islâm Ibn Taimiyyah said in his book Al-'Aqîdat-ul-Wâsitiyyah:

"Among the Principles of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamâ'ah is maintaining pure hearts and tongues towards the Companions of Allâh's Messenger (saws), as Allâh has described them in His saying: 'And those who come after them say: 'Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who 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.' [Sûrah Al-Hashr: 8-10] And (from their principles is) obedience to the Prophet with regard to his saying: 'Do not revile my Companions! For by the One whose Hand my soul is in, if one of you were to give away the size of mount Uhud in gold for charity, it would not equal a mudd of one of them nor even half of it.' And they accept what is stated in the Qur'ân, the Sunnah and the Consensus concerning their (the Companion's) virtues and high statuses. And they give preference to those who spent their wealth and fought (in the Way of Allâh) before the Victory - which refers to the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyah - over those who gave their wealth and fought after it. And they give precedence to the Muhâjirîn over the Ansâr. And they believe that Allâh said to the people who fought in (the Battle of) Badr - who numbered over three hundred people: 'Do whatever you wish, for I have already forgiven you.' And they believe that no one who pledged their allegiance to the Prophet (saws) under the tree will enter the Hellfire, as the Prophet (saws) informed us. In fact, Allâh was pleased with them and they were pleased with Him. And they were more than one thousand four hundred people. They designate to Paradise whoever the Messenger of Allâh testified will be in Paradise, such as the Ten (Companions), Thâbit Ibn Qays Ibn Shammas and others. And they confirm what has been reported in tawâtur form on the Amîr-ul-Mu'minîn, 'Alî Ibn Abî Tâlib (râ) and others that: The best of this ummah after its Prophet are Abu Bakr; then 'Umar. Then they place 'Uthmân third and 'Alî fourth, may Allâh be pleased with all of them. This is as is indicated in the athâr (reports from the Sahâbah) and as was unanimously agreed upon that 'Uthmân had precedence (over 'Alî) for being pledged allegiance to (for the Khilâfah). In spite of this, after unanimously agreeing to the precedence of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, some of the Ahl-us-Sunnah have disagreed with regard to 'Uthmân and 'Alî as to which of them is better. So a group of them gave precedence to 'Uthmân and then remained silent and placed 'Alî as the fourth. And another group gave precedence to 'Alî. And yet another group remained neutral. But the affair of Al-us-Sunnah settled upon giving precedence to 'Uthmân and then 'Alî. But regardless, this issue of 'Uthmân and 'Alî is not from the principles by which the one who disagrees concerning it becomes misguided (and deviant), according to the majority of the (scholars of) Ahl-us-Sunnah. Rather, the issue in which the one who opposes becomes misguided is the issue of the Khilâfah - and it is that they (must) believe that the Khalîfah after Allâh's Messenger was Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthmân and then 'Alî. And whoever attacks the Khilâfah of any one of them, then he is more astray than the donkey of his people."

Then he mentioned that they have love and affection for the Members of the Household of Allâh's Messenger and that they preserve the Will (final requests) of Allâh's Messenger concerning them. And that they have affection for the Wives of Allâh's Messenger, the Mothers of the Believers and believe that they will be his wives in the Hereafter. Then he said:

"And they absolve themselves from the way of the Rawâfid - those who hate the Companions and revile them - and from the way of the Nawâsib - those who abuse the Members of the (Prophet's) Household - by speech or action. And they refrain from (delving into) the disputes that occurred between the Companions. And they say: These narrations, which have been reported concerning their faults, there are amongst them, that which is false, that which things have been added to, that which parts have been omitted and that which has been changed from its original state. As for what is authentic from them, then with regard to that they (the Companions) are excused (and forgiven) - either they made Ijtihâd and were correct or they made Ijtihâd and were wrong. And on top of that, they do not believe that every one of the Companions is infallible and free of committing major or minor sins. Rather, they are capable of committing sins in general, but they have from precedence and virtues what necessitates that they be forgiven for whatever (sins) they commit - if they did commit any. This is even to the point that they will be forgiven for evil deeds the likes of which those who come after them will not be forgiven for. This is because they possess good deeds that wipe out the evil deeds, the likes of which will not be for those after them. It is established from the saying of Allâh's Messenger (saws) that they are the best of generations and that if one of them were to give a mudd (of gold) in charity it would be better than the whole of Mount Uhud in gold of those who came after them. Furthermore, if it was the case that one of them committed a sin, then either he repented from it or he performed some good deed that wiped it out. Or he was forgiven for it due to the virtue of his precedence or by intercession of Muhammad (saws), of which the Companions have the most right among people of receiving his intercession. Or perhaps he was tested by some affliction in this world, by which it was expiated from him. So if this is with respect to the sins that were actualized (by them), then what about the matters in which they did Ijtihâd? If they were correct they will have two rewards and if they were incorrect they will have one reward and their error will be forgiven. Furthermore, the amount that is forsaken yet forgiven from the (bad) deeds committed by some of them is tiny in comparison to their virtues and good qualities, such as their belief in Allâh and His Messenger, Jihâd in His Way, Hijrah, support (of the Religion), beneficial knowledge and good deeds. And whoever studies the history of the "people" (i.e. the Sahâbah) with knowledge and insight, and studies what Allâh bestowed them with of merits, he will come to know with full certainty that they are the best of creation after the prophets. There was not nor will there be anyone like them. And (he will come to know that) they are the safwah (chosen elite) from all the generations of this nation (of Muslims), which is itself the best and most honorable of all nations with Allâh."

These are five examples from the sayings of the Salaf As-Sâlih (righteous predecessors) concerning what we are obligated to believe in with respect to the best of creation after the Prophets and Messengers. One thing we must understand is that defaming these chosen and special people is in fact a defamation of the Religion. This is since the Religion was not passed onto those who came after them except by them. And it has already been stated in the words of Abu Zur'ah that: "The only ones who brought this Qur'ân and the Sunan (plural of Sunnah) to us are the Companions of Allâh's Messenger. (So) 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 heretics (zanâdiqah)." This refers to those who seek to belittle any of the Companions. And it implies that the one who defames them does not harm them in the least but rather only benefits them, according to the previously stated hadîth of the " bankrupt person." And it implies that the one who defames them only causes harm to himself. So whoever finds in his heart love for them and a lack of hatred for them, and he keeps his tongue from mentioning anything but good about them, then he should praise Allâh for this blessing. And He should ask Allâh to keep him firm upon this guidance. And whoever holds any hatred for them in his heart and his tongue is loose in mentioning them with that which does not befit them, then he must fear Allâh and desist from these crimes. And he must repent to Allâh so long as the door of repentance is open in front of him, before he regrets when the regret is of no benefit.

Our Lord do not cause our hearts to go astray after having guided us and grant us mercy from Yourself, indeed You are the One who grants all requests. "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who 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."

[2] Sahîh Hadîth: Reported by Al-Bukhârî and Muslim from the hadîth of Ibn Mas'ûd. Many Companions narrated this hadîth, amongst them 'Imrân Ibn Husayn and An-Nu'mân Ibn Bashîr. See As-Sahîhah of Imâm Al-Albânî: (699-700)

[3] Sahîh Hadîth: Reported by Al-Bukhârî (6/88 and 610 of al-fat'h), Muslim (3532), Ahmad (3/7), Al-Humaidî (743), Al-Baghawî in Sharh-us-Sunnah (14/73-74) from the path of Jâbir Ibn 'Abdillâh from Abu Sa'îd Al-Khudrî.

[4] Hasan Hadîth: Reported by Abu Dawûd (4650), An-Nasâ'î in Al-Kubrâ, Ibn Mâjah (134) and Ahmad (1629).

[5] Sahîh Hadîth: Reported by Muslim (2581), At-Tirmidhî (2418), Ahmad (2/303), Al-Bayhaqî (6/93) from the path of Al-'Alâ Ibn 'Abdir-Rahmân from his father from Abu Hurairah in marfû' form. At-Tirmidhî said it was hasan sahîh.