The Status of the Ṣaḥābah: 13 Key Points to Understand the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ”

Understanding the Importance and Status of the Ṣaḥābah in Islam

1⃣. A Ṣaḥābī (plural Ṣaḥābah, meaning Companion) is one who physically saw (or met) the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, believed in him and passed away as a Muslim. – (See: Qāmūs Al-Fiqh Li-Al-Raḥmānī)

2⃣. The Ṣaḥābah are the best humans after the Prophets. – (See: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Musnad Aḥmad, Sharḥ Al-Sunnah)

3⃣. All the Ṣaḥābah are just and upright persons. – (See: Alfīyyah AlIrāqīy)

4⃣. The Ṣaḥābah are the link to the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ and his teachings. It is through them, that the Muslim community (ummah) learnt and acquired the religion. – (See: Al-Kifāyah, Al-Iṣābah)

5⃣. ALLĀH gave them all a special title, “ALLĀH is pleased with them and they are pleased with HIM.” – (See: At-Tawbah: 100)

6⃣. Love and respect all of them. – (See: Tirmidhī, Al-Aqīdah Al-Ṭaḥāwīyyah)

7⃣. Only speak well of them. – (See: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

8⃣. The best are the leading four, Abū Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmān and ‘Alī. All four were also genuine caliphs. – (See: Al-Aqīdah Al-Ṭaḥāwīyyah)

9⃣. Leadership in Islam is by merit, not blood. – (See: Qāmūs Al-Fiqh)

1⃣0⃣. A true believer never harbours malice or hatred for any Companion. – (See: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)

1⃣1⃣. Do not take sides in their differences on account of their ijtihād ‘personal judgements’. – (Ṣāwi ʿAlā Sharḥ Al-Ṣaghīr, Qāmūs Al-Fiqh Li-Al-Raḥmānī)

1⃣2⃣. 10 among them were given glad tidings of Paradise, in this world.  – (See: Tirmidhī, Muqaddamah Ibn Ṣalāḥ)

1⃣3⃣. Do not commit excess in love for any of them, nor curse and disown any of them. – (See: Al-Aqīdah Al-Ṭaḥāwīyyah)

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fear ALLĀH in every matter concerning my Companions. Do not make them the targets [of your criticism] after me. Whoever loves them does so on account of their love for me, and whoever shows enmity towards them does so on account of their being hateful to me. Whoever insults them has insulted me and whoever insults me has insulted ALLĀH. Whoever insults ALLĀH, will soon be seized by HIM.” (Tirmidhī)