Compassionate Relationships Between Sahabah and Ahlul Bayt

Compassionate and Respectful Bonds Between the Sahabah and Ahlul Bayt

Compassionate Relationships Between the Companions and Ahlul Bayt

The best example of following the Shari’ah revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Companions (Sahabah) of the Prophet. These are the individuals who implemented the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith in the best way in their lives. For this reason, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared the people of his time (the Sahabah) as the best of mankind. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA) narrated:

سُئِلَ النَّبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: أيُّ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ؟ قَالَ: قَرْنِي، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ، ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ قَوْمٌ تَسْبِقُ شَهَادَةُ أحَدِهِمْ يَمِينَهُ، ويَمِينُهُ شَهَادَتَهُ(صحيح البخاري:6658)

Translation: The Prophet ﷺ was asked, “Who are the best people?” He replied, “My generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. After them, there will come a people whose testimony will precede their oath, and their oath will precede their testimony.”

While the Prophet ﷺ declared the Companions as the best of mankind, Allah has forgiven their human mistakes, accepted their good deeds, expressed His pleasure with them, and promised them paradise. As Allah says:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ (التوبة:100)

Translation: And the foremost in faith among the Muhajirun and Ansar, and those who follow them with righteousness—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the great success.

From these two proofs, it is not difficult to conclude that the Companions, including Ahlul Bayt, are the best people and unparalleled believers of this Ummah. However, it is unfortunate that some people, based on baseless and false claims or disputes among the Companions, have targeted these pure personalities, calling them names, and even spreading misunderstandings in the name of Ahlul Bayt. One such misunderstanding is that some of the Companions did not love Ahlul Bayt but rather hated them. I wish to clarify this misunderstanding, which claims that all the Sahabah had compassionate and affectionate relationships with Ahlul Bayt, and that their relationships with each other were full of kindness and compassion.

This may seem unbelievable when stated by an ordinary person without evidence, but when the testimony of the Lord of the Worlds is given, it will leave no room for doubt. Those with hearts filled with hypocrisy or disbelief may still have their doubts, but for the believers, the certainty remains firm. Allah says:

مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا(الفتح:29)

Translation: Muhammad (ﷺ) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure.

At another place, Allah specifically highlights the mutual love, affection, and brotherhood among the Companions:

وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا (آل عمران:103)

Translation: And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, and He brought your hearts together, and by His favor, you became brothers.

Allah, who testifies to the high character and faith of the Companions, and who is granting them forgiveness, reward, and the promise of paradise, also attests to their compassionate and merciful relationships. The Companions, including the Muhajirun, Ansar, and Ahlul Bayt, loved one another deeply and treated each other with kindness. Allah even went so far as to say that He instilled affection in their hearts for each other, and they became brothers. How can there be hatred in the heart of one whom Allah has filled with love? And how can a person whom Allah has made loving towards others harbor hatred?

Therefore, my Muslim brothers, after the testimony of Allah, if anyone speaks ill of a Companion, claiming that they did not love Ahlul Bayt or that they hated them, it is not just a common lie but a false accusation against Allah. Such people are not just ignorant but are guilty of slander against the Sahabah’s compassionate and merciful relations. May Allah protect us from this.

Let us also remember that speaking ill of any Companion, attributing falsehoods to them, holding hatred towards them, or accusing them unjustly is no small matter. Those who do so are not true Muslims but are hypocrites. We must recognize such hypocrites and expose their deceit, so that naive people do not fall victim to their tricks and, unknowingly, develop animosity towards the Sahabah instead of love.

Now, I will present some facts along with proofs so that the mind remains clear on this topic, and we may sincerely love all the Companions, including Ahlul Bayt. Ummul-Mu’minin Sayyidah Aisha (RA) narrated:

أنَّ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلَامُ، والعَبَّاسَ، أتَيَا أبَا بَكْرٍ يَلْتَمِسَانِ مِيرَاثَهُمَا، أرْضَهُ مِن فَدَكٍ، وسَهْمَهُ مِن خَيْبَرَ، فَقالَ أبو بَكْرٍ:سَمِعْتُ النبيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، يقولُ:لا نُورَثُ ما تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ، إنَّما يَأْكُلُ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ في هذا المَالِ واللَّهِ لَقَرَابَةُ رَسولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ أحَبُّ إلَيَّ أنْ أصِلَ مِن قَرَابَتِي(صحيح البخاري:4035)

Translation: Fatimah (RA) and Abbas (RA) came to Abu Bakr (RA) seeking their inheritance, the land of Fadak and the share from Khaybar. Abu Bakr (RA) said: “I heard the Prophet ﷺ say, ‘We do not inherit what we leave behind; it is charity. However, the family of Muhammad (ﷺ) will continue to receive from this wealth.’ By Allah, it is more beloved to me to maintain ties with the family of the Messenger of Allah than with my own family.”

In light of this narration, the deep love Abu Bakr (RA) had for Ahlul Bayt is evident, and the misunderstanding about his withholding the share from Fadak from Sayyidah Fatimah (RA) is cleared up. He did so because the Prophet ﷺ had stated that whatever the Prophet leaves behind is charity and not for inheritance. This shows Abu Bakr’s (RA) honesty and love for the Prophet, and by extension, his love for Ahlul Bayt.

This matter is also corroborated in the Shi’ah books. For example, the great Shi’ah scholar Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulaini, in his book Al-Kafi, cites a narration from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (RA), the sixth Imam of the Shi’ah, who said:

وإن العلماء ورثة الأنبياء إن الأنبياء لم يورثوا دينارا ولا درهما ولكن ورثوا العلم فمن أخذ منه أخذ بحظ وافر(الكافي 1/34)

Translation: Indeed, the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams, but they left behind knowledge. Whoever takes from it takes a large portion.

This narration in Al-Kafi, one of the four most reliable Shi’ah books, further affirms that the inheritance of the Prophet was not material wealth but knowledge, further clarifying the Fadak issue, which some have wrongly used to accuse Abu Bakr (RA) of enmity with Ahlul Bayt.

Abu Bakr’s love for Ahlul Bayt is further reflected in his statement:

قالَ أبو بَكْرٍ: ارْقُبُوا مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ في أهْلِ بَيْتِهِ(صحيح البخاري:3751)

Translation: Abu Bakr (RA) said: “Take care of the family of Muhammad ﷺ.”

When Sayyidah Fatimah (RA) was ill, Abu Bakr (RA) sent his wife Asma bint ‘Umais to care for her. She stayed with Fatimah (RA) until her death. If there were any animosity between them, he would not have sent his wife to care for her. Additionally, after Abu Bakr’s (RA) passing, Sayyidna Ali (RA) married Asma bint ‘Umais. These historical facts clearly demonstrate the love between the family of Abu Bakr and Ahlul Bayt.

Regarding the love of Ahlul Bayt by the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), it is evident that he took special care of Ahlul Bayt. For example, during the conquest of Persia, when several granddaughters of Kisra were captured, one of them was given to Hussain ibn Ali (RA), and from this marriage, Ali Zayn al-Abidin, the fourth Shi’ah Imam, was born.

Furthermore, when the Caliph Umar (RA) was faced with a drought, he called upon Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (RA) to pray for rain, stating that earlier they prayed through the Prophet ﷺ, and now they were praying through the Prophet’s uncle.

These historical examples demonstrate the love and respect that the Sahabah, including the caliphs, had for Ahlul Bayt, and highlight that any claims of enmity are unfounded.

The faith and beliefs of Hazrat Ali (RA) and his son Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah regarding the Rightly Guided Caliphs can be understood from the following narration:

عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الحَنَفِيَّةِ، قَالَ: قُلتُ لأبِي: أيُّ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ بَعْدَ رَسولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ؟ قَالَ: أبو بَكْرٍ، قُلتُ: ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ: ثُمَّ عُمَرُ، وخَشِيتُ أنْ يَقُولَ: عُثْمَانُ، قُلتُ: ثُمَّ أنْتَ؟ قَالَ: ما أنَا إلَّا رَجُلٌ مِنَ المُسْلِمِينَ(صحيح البخاري:3671)
Translation: Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah narrated that he asked his father (Ali RA), “Who is the best person after the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)?” He replied, “Abu Bakr (RA).” He asked again, “Then who?” He replied, “Then Umar (RA).” Fearing that he might say, “Uthman (RA),” he himself asked, “And then you?” Hazrat Ali (RA) responded, “I am just a man from among the Muslims.”

This is not just any reference; it is a Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari. From this narration, we can understand the love and respect that the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet) held for the companions, especially the first three caliphs, because a person only expresses admiration and devotion to someone whom they deeply respect. Similarly, Umm al-Mu’minin, Hazrat Aisha (RA), also narrated numerous Hadiths highlighting the virtues of Ahl al-Bayt, particularly the famous Hadith in Sahih Muslim (Hadith No: 2424), in which the Prophet (PBUH) covered Hazrat Hasan, Husayn, Fatimah, and Ali (RA) with his cloak and recited the verse of purification (Ayat al-Tathir).

Next, we look at the names of the children of Hazrat Ali (RA), as people generally name their children based on love and affection. Hazrat Ali (RA) married several times, and according to Imam Ibn Kathir’s Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, he had 28 children from his various wives. Among these, three names were after the three caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman. All three of these sons were martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Hazrat Hasan (RA) had sons named Abu Bakr and Umar, who were martyred in Karbala, and similarly, a son named Umar was also found among the children of Hazrat Husayn (RA).

In terms of family relationships, which indicate the connection between Ahl al-Bayt and the companions, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married the daughters of two caliphs: Hazrat Aisha (RA), the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA), and Hazrat Hafsa (RA), the daughter of Umar (RA). He also married the daughters of Hazrat Uthman (RA) — Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum — and Hazrat Ali’s (RA) daughter, Fatimah (RA). Thus, the first two caliphs (Abu Bakr and Umar) were the Prophet’s (PBUH) fathers-in-law, while the third and fourth caliphs (Uthman and Ali) were his sons-in-law. This demonstrates the deep familial connection between the Prophet’s household and the first four caliphs.

In the case of the Shiite school of thought, the fourth Imam, Zayn al-Abidin, and the sixth Imam, Ja’far al-Sadiq, also have connections to the companions. Hazrat Aisha (RA), the mother of the believers, was the maternal grandmother of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, as her sister, Asma bint Abubakr, was the mother of Ja’far’s mother. This establishes a blood relationship between Ahl al-Bayt and Ahl al-Siddiq. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq famously said: “Abu Bakr gave birth to me twice,” referring to his mother, Umm Farwah, who was the granddaughter of Abu Bakr (RA), and his maternal grandmother, Asma bint Abd al-Rahman, who was also Abu Bakr’s granddaughter.

I mention these family ties merely as evidence of the strong relationships that existed. The truth is, the companions, based on their mutual love and Islamic brotherhood, lived in harmony, forming marriages and fostering brotherly relations without any animosity or jealousy. If there were any human disagreements, they did not impact their overall love and unity.

For more detailed information on the relationships and names among the Ahl al-Bayt and Sahaba, one can refer to the Arabic book Al-Asma’ wa al-Musaharat Bayna Ahl al-Bayt wa al-Sahabah by Sayyid bin Ahmad bin Ibrahim. An Urdu translation of this book, titled “Ahl al-Bayt aur Sahabah ke Taluqat Asma aur Qurbat Dari ki Roshan Mein,” is available on websites like Kitab wa Sunnat and Islam House.

In Surah Ash-Shura, verse 25, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) has commanded the believers to express love towards his family, and I pray that Allah grants us the ability to show this love towards Ahl al-Bayt, and guides the Nasibis and Rafidis to the straight path in this matter. Ameen.