A Response to Those Who Slander the Companions - radhiAllaahu anum

Society Religion & Philosophy
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*Bismillaah Ar-RaHmaan Ar-RaHeem *
In the name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

"And the first to embrace Islaam from the Muhajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah) and the Ansaar (those who lived in al-Madeenah and aided them after migration) and those who follow them in goodness. Allaah is well-pleased with them, as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. This is the supreme achievement. [Surah at-Taubah 9:100]

They say the evil eye can break a stone, and a single bolt of lightening can destroy a nation’s harvest. But the impact the tongue can have, can be far more devastating.

It was deeply saddening to read some of the topics and responses presented in this forum, that reject the words of Allaah subhaan wa’taala and His Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) by assaulting and insulting the Companions radhi allaahu 'anhum. Some remarks were so shocking, astaghfirul ‘atheem, that one could not help but get upset as well as angry.

“Do not abuse my companions, for if any of you were to spend gold equal to Uhud in charity, it would not equal a handful of one of them or even half of that.” [Bukhari] (Uhud = mountain range situated north of Madeenah which reaches altitudes of 6,000 feet).

The uncompromising faith of the Companions (including the wives of the Prophet sallaahu 'alaihi wa’sallam) has been certified and attested to by Allaah and His final Messenger, Muhammad salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam. However, the most disturbing fact remains that even with this witness for the excellence and virtue of the companions, there are still some people who not only give precedence to the statements of unattested historical figures, no matter how contradictory to Islaam, but in the process ridicule and slander the companions.

The mistake does not lie in quoting individuals from history and contemporaries when it comes to Islaamic issues. But rather on many occasions, arguments have been staged to supportively quote individuals of past and present who hold opposing views to Islaam, whereas the authentic narrations brought forward to us by the Companions are being brushed aside and rejected. The very same companions of the Prophet salallaahu ‘alahi wassallam, whom Allaah describes in the Qur’aan as being the Best of mankind: “You are the best of nations ever raised up from humanity. You enjoin all that is good and forbid all that is evil, and you believe in Allaah.” [Surah Al-Imraan 3:110]

Then Subhaan’Allaah! Are Allaah’s words no longer of any significance? And are the words and actions of His beloved Messenger, Muhammad Ibn Abdullaah (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) no longer important? Of course they are. This is why as Muslims we ought to try our best to adhere to the Qur’aan and when the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alahi wassallam) says: "Whosoever abuses my companions, then upon them is the curse of Allaah, the Angels and all the people [at-Tabaranee], we should refrain ourselves from such evil actions of the tongue.

Imaam Ahmad has also said: “If you see anyone speaking ill of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam), doubt his Islaam.”

Instead we should give the Companions (radhi ‘allaahu anhum) their due respect and increase our love for them, as the Prophet salallaahu ‘alahi wassallam displayed his love for them. And if it were not for their efforts and the Will of Allaah, many of us would not be Muslims today. For it was they who went through misery and torture while being persecuted in Makkah. It was they who were stoned and beaten before being savagely killed at the hands of the disbelievers. And it was they, the Companions, whose blood was spilt on the battle fields for the sake of this Ummah, so that we would not have to go through the same torment and suffering to be Muslims today.

May Allaah increase our love and manners toward them, the Companions.

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**Note from admin: If you wish to discuss another issue, please open another thread.

Sentinel.**

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Hasnain :k: nice and timely post, thanks.

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It seems abvious that certain members missed this thread as they continue to transgress against the Qur'aan in another thread.

There is not a single verse in the Qur'an that mentions the Companions in a negative manner. Then why do a handful of members strive and persevere to contradict the Words of Allaah - subhaana wa ta'aala?

The verses are clear and the status of the Sahaaba is clear. Stop, think and ponder, over the Words of Allaah.

Itakillaah! WaAllaahu yahdeekum!

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Salaam Hasnain,

Thanks for the post! I hope people give heed to your adivse.
Was salaaam:mad3:

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I was privately informed that a comment that was made by me in this forum was in bad taste.

I thought I was being witty and my comment was an attempt to dog/flame Saddam Hussein. Wasn't witty or funny.

I didn't know that I was disrepecting someone reguarded with esteem by all of you.

I'm sorry.

And I'm thinking also that I probobly shouldn't flame Saddam Hussein either. He is a leader of a country and is probobly of the belief that the decisions he makes are right for his country.

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AAG,

I don't know what comment you made or when you made it, but this thread was not in response to anything you did or said. It is a refutation of a people who do not respect the Companions (disciples) of Muhammad - salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - peace be upon him.

I'm not sure who "privately informed" you, but i hope you didn't get the impression that my message was in reaction to your comments.

regards

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I didn't know what you meant. I just wanted to let you know that I in no way intended to offend anybody.

I'm happy you didn't see the distateful remark that I expressed.

Hopefully noboby saw it, and I'm thankful to the person who enlightened me :)

Anyways...

** "No leaf falls except that He knows of it, and no rain drop forms except that He has willed it." **

I love that sentence. It's one of the most beautiful sentences I have ever read.

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Re: A Response to Those Who Slander the Companions - radhiAllaahu anum

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Hasnain: *
*Bismillaah Ar-RaHmaan Ar-RaHeem *
In the name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

"And the first to embrace Islaam from the Muhajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah) and the Ansaar (those who lived in al-Madeenah and aided them after migration) and those who follow them in goodness. Allaah is well-pleased with them, as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. This is the supreme achievement. [Surah at-Taubah 9:100]

May Allaah increase our love and manners toward them, the Companions.
[/QUOTE]

[Yusufali 9:100] The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.

This verse clearly proclaims the equality of muhajirs and ansar in general sense. The preference given to one individual over another by Allah or the Holy Prophet was due to the degree of submission to Allah and taqwa (piety).

So the argument put forward by Umar bin Khattab at the time of deciding the issue of taking hold of the reins of power in the conference hall of Saqifa bani Sa-ada by reciting this verse without wa after ansar to establish the superiority of muhajirs over ansar (if wa is dropped it means the ansar should obey or follow the muhajirs) was unislamic or contrary to the teachings of the Quran. It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari that when Obay ibn Ka-ab pointed out this omission Umar replied that he always thought this verse to be a proof of the muhajir's superiority over the ansar.

This verse and other verses like it in praise of the companions of the Holy Prophet, whether muhajirs or ansar, are applicable only to those who were sincere in faith. The hypocrites, who were also "companions" (sahabah) as per its definition laid down by the Muslim scholars, cannot be accepted as those praised by the Quran.

So to say that all the companions, even the deserters, were true believers is illogical and contrary to historical facts.

All the commentators unanimously agree that "the first of the foremost" among women was Khadijah, wife of the Holy Prophet, and among men was Ali ibn abi Talib.

Hakim Nayshapuri, in his Mustadrak Alal Sahihayn, writes on page 22 of kitab al Ma-rafat:

"There is no difference of opinion among the historians that Ali ibn abi Talib was the first Muslim."

Ibn Abd al Bar, Qartabi, Suyuti, Tabarani, Bayhaqi and others also have confirmed it.

Please refer to the event of dawat dhil ashirah on page4 . Among others refer to Tarikh Tabari vol.2 , page63 , for authenticity of the tradition, according to which Ali was the first Muslim, and his faith was not only accepted by the Holy Prophet but also he was declared by him, whose words were always revelation revealed (Najm:4 ), to be his brother, lieutenant and successor-and on that day obedience to him was made obligatory by the Holy Prophet for all the believers.

Whosoever raises the issue of his age either does not know that whomsoever Allah wills He makes him His representative even if he is a baby in the cradle (Ali Imran:46 -Isa was a messenger of Allah in the cradle just as he was a messenger of Allah in maturity), or with ulterior motives, wants to introduce some one else as the first Muslim.

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Re: A Response to Those Who Slander the Companions - radhiAllaahu anum

[QUOTE]
***Originally posted by Hasnain: *

"Do not abuse my companions, for if any of you were to spend gold equal to Uhud in charity, it would not equal a handful of one of them or even half of that." Bukhari.

The uncompromising faith of the Companions (including the wives of the Prophet sallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) has been certified and attested to by Allaah and His final Messenger, Muhammad salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam. **/
[QUOTE]

May be this hadith will enlighten you:

Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 9.173
Narrated 'Abdullah:

 The Prophet said, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount (Kauthar)
 and some men amongst you will be brought to me, and when I will try to
 hand them some water, they will be pulled away from me by force
 whereupon ***I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' Then the Almighty will
 say, 'You do not know what they did after you left, they introduced
 new things into the religion after you.'" ***
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Its mind boggling to think all sahabas were noble people. Why do you forget that they were mere humans? If everything was so great then why the wife and other sahabas fought a battle with Imam Ali? Not every sahaba was sincere, a lot of them just jumped on the bandwagon.

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All Sahabah may not be perfect but it is not a duty on us to figure out who was better than the other & who should be rebuked for his or her “reported” wrong doings. Leave it to Allah & indeed He is a just in all ways.

Regardless of whatever your belief about the Khulafah or certain other Sahabah is; you should at least follow the great Imam Ali (ra) when it comes to conduct & good gestures. There is no tradition that states that he slandered or even spoke against someone rudely or even went on to ask or fight for his “due right” as understood by many today. So, at least learn from Hazrat Ali (ra) & leave to Allah to judge who is the transgressor and who is not.

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another sunni and shia fight.....

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<~~ censored

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
All Sahabah may not be perfect but it is not a duty on us to figure out who was better than the other & who should be rebuked for his or her “reported” wrong doings. Leave it to Allah & indeed He is a just in all ways.

Regardless of whatever your belief about the Khulafah or certain other Sahabah is; you should at least follow the great Imam Ali (ra) when it comes to conduct & good gestures. There is no tradition that states that he slandered or even spoke against someone rudely or even went on to ask or fight for his “due right” as understood by many today. So, at least learn from Hazrat Ali (ra) & leave to Allah to judge who is the transgressor and who is not.
[/QUOTE]

If you do not try to figure out who was right and who was wrong, u may be guilty of following the wrong path inadvertently.

The hadith tells us where Allah (swt) tells us how some of his companions innovated in religion after him.

It is in our best interest to follow those who were indeed rightly guided.

No need to slander anyone. Just recognize who was on the path of truth and follow him. And that path is only the path of Allah (swt) and his holy and last prophet (pbuh).

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Gandalf: *

The hypocrites, who were also "companions" (sahabah) as per its definition laid down by the Muslim scholars, cannot be accepted as those praised by the Quran.
[/quote]

Not quite. The definition given by Sunni scholars positively excludes hypocrites. Yes, someone could be described as having had companionship of the Prophet (s) from a purely linguistic angle, namely that he might have, for whatever reason, accompanied him for some purpose. However, when we talk about the Companions of the Prophet (s) in a religious sense it refers to those who saw or met the Prophet (s) whilst believing in him and who then died as Muslims. Hypocrites do not fall within this definition.

[quote]
All the commentators unanimously agree that "the first of the foremost" among women was Khadijah, wife of the Holy Prophet, and among men was Ali ibn abi Talib.
[/quote]

Unfortunately, it's not the first time that you've said "all the commentators unanimously agree" on something when in fact it is far from the case. I think i pointed this out in another thread as well. On this occasion, for example, al-Qurtubi - one of your own references - states with conviction that: "There is no difference that the first of the foremost (al-sabiqin) from the muhajirs was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq." (Jami' al-Ahkam al-Qur'an, commentary on 9:100). So where is the unanimous agreement?

Various interpretations are offered as to who exactly are meant by the words "al-sabiqun al-awalun min al-muhajirin" (the foremost of those who migrated) in Surah 9:100. Here are a few of them:

  1. It means those Companions who had prayed towards both qiblahs

  2. Those who witnessed the oath at Hudaibiya

  3. Those who had migrated to Madinah prior to the changing of the qiblah

  4. Those who fought at the battle of Badr

See Tafsir al-Tabari and Tafsir al-Qurtubi for the names of various early authorities along with the interpretation that each preferred.

[quote]
**Hakim Nayshapuri, in his Mustadrak Alal Sahihayn, writes on page 22 of kitab al Ma-rafat:

"There is no difference of opinion among the historians that Ali ibn abi Talib was the first Muslim."**
[/quote]

Interestingly, Hakim al-Naysaburi in the same section of his al-Mustadrak (Kitab al-Ma'rafat, p.20), adduces a chapter title stating that the Companions formed a consensus on describing Abu Bakr (r) as the Prophet's (s) successor (khalifah).

As for who accepted Islam first, again various opinions are given:

  1. Khadijah (r): This being the preponderant view and is held by such early luminaries as al-Zuhri (he may have had two opinions, see below), Qatadah and Ibn Ishaq amongst others.

  2. Abu Bakr (r): This is the opinion, as listed by al-Qurtubi, of Ibn Abbas (r), Asma bint Abi Bakr (r), Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir, Rabi' ibn Abi 'Abdul-Rahman, Salih ibn Kaysan, Sa'id ibn Ibrahim, 'Uthman ibn Muhammad al-Akhnasi, Ibrahim al-Nakhai and others. It is possible to interpret this, as well as the following two opinions, as meaning that he was the first after Khadijah to accept Islam.

  3. Ali ibn Abi Talib (r): This view, as mentioned by al-Qurtubi, is held by Zayd ibn Arqam, Abu Dharr and al-Miqdad, may Allah be well-pleased with them all. Al-Qurtubi then reports the saying of al-Hakim: "There is no difference of opinion among the historians that Ali ibn Abi Talib was the first Muslim." Of course, in view of al-Qurtubi's own presentation of this topic, it is obvious that there is indeed a difference of opinion.

  4. Zayd ibn Harith (r): Sulayman ibn Yasar, 'Urwa ibn al-Zubair, 'Imran ibn Abi Anas as well as al-Zuhri (according to one report from him) were of the view that he was the first.

Again, refer to al-Qurtubi's Tafsir for these names and differences.

It may be possible to reconcile these reports. It could be that people were referring to those who had first accepted Islam from various sections of the community. Some scholars, therefore, combined these four opinions by suggesting that among women Khadija was the first to accept Islam, among male adults Abu Bakr was first, among the young 'Ali was first, and among freed-slaves Zayd ibn Harith was first. This is not far-fetched.

Allah knows best.

Iqbal

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Sheraz CT: *
Its mind boggling to think all sahabas were noble people. Why do you forget that they were mere humans? If everything was so great then why the wife and other sahabas fought a battle with Imam Ali? Not every sahaba was sincere, a lot of them just jumped on the bandwagon.
[/QUOTE]

Yes, all Sahabas were human beings including Abu Bakr, Umer, Usman Ali , Fatima , Haasan Hussain! They all might had made mistakes in their lives since humans always make mistakes.. but their great deeds are too many compared with whatever misunderstandings or mistakes they made.. its Allah who will make judgement nor Ali or any other Sahabi.. ironically Hazrat Ali (RA) mader bayt and named his sons after them at hands of some of those u curse day and night !

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Iqbal1089: *

Not quite. The definition given by Sunni scholars positively excludes hypocrites. Yes, someone could be described as having had companionship of the Prophet (s) from a purely linguistic angle, namely that he might have, for whatever reason, accompanied him for some purpose. However, when we talk about the Companions of the Prophet (s) in a religious sense it refers to those who saw or met the Prophet (s) whilst believing in him and who then died as Muslims. Hypocrites do not fall within this definition.

Unfortunately, it's not the first time that you've said "all the commentators unanimously agree" on something when in fact it is far from the case. I think i pointed this out in another thread as well. On this occasion, for example, al-Qurtubi - one of your own references - states with conviction that: "There is no difference that the first of the foremost (al-sabiqin) from the muhajirs was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq." (Jami' al-Ahkam al-Qur'an, commentary on 9:100). So where is the unanimous agreement?

Various interpretations are offered as to who exactly are meant by the words "al-sabiqun al-awalun min al-muhajirin" (the foremost of those who migrated) in Surah 9:100. Here are a few of them:

  1. It means those Companions who had prayed towards both qiblahs

  2. Those who witnessed the oath at Hudaibiya

  3. Those who had migrated to Madinah prior to the changing of the qiblah

  4. Those who fought at the battle of Badr

See Tafsir al-Tabari and Tafsir al-Qurtubi for the names of various early authorities along with the interpretation that each preferred.

Interestingly, Hakim al-Naysaburi in the same section of his al-Mustadrak (Kitab al-Ma'rafat, p.20), adduces a chapter title stating that the Companions formed a consensus on describing Abu Bakr (r) as the Prophet's (s) successor (khalifah).

Iqbal
[/QUOTE]

Iqbal;

Why don't you read the hadith once again..

Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 9.173
Narrated 'Abdullah:

The Prophet said, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount (Kauthar)
and some men amongst you will be brought to me, and when I will try to
hand them some water, they will be pulled away from me by force
whereupon I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' Then the Almighty will
say, 'You do not know what they did after you left, they introduced
new things into the religion after you.'"

The hadith tells of the holy prophet (pbuh) calling them "companions".

I am sure that the holy prophet (pbuh) knows better than you who his companions were and the apparent criteria they met to become muslims and his companions.

Yet, Allah (swt) tells our beloved prophet (pbuh) that some of these so-called companions innovated in religion after him.

So severe are the crimes of these COMPANIONS, that the holy prophet (pbuh) will be pulled away by force !!!

This is a strong hadith to warn the ummah to be careful about following companions blindly, even if are made out to be righteous.

Greater scrunity is required to ensure that we do not follow them along their wrong path.

After the prophet (Pbuh) died, the ummayad and abbasid dynasties chased wealth and fame at the expense of religion. Their hunger for power caused them to dis-obey the prophet's (pbuh) teachings.

Following the holy prophet (pbuh) and his purified itra (33:33) only will ensure that we will follow the path of those whom Allah (swt) has guided.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Degas: *

Yes, all Sahabas were human beings including Abu Bakr, Umer, Usman Ali , Fatima , Haasan Hussain! They all might had made mistakes in their lives since humans always make mistakes.. but their great deeds are too many compared with whatever misunderstandings or mistakes they made.. its Allah who will make judgement nor Ali or any other Sahabi.. ironically Hazrat Ali (RA) mader bayt and named his sons after them at hands of some of those u curse day and night !
[/QUOTE]

Ali(as), Fatima(as),Hassan(as),Hussein(as) cannot make mistakes, they are from the ahle-bait. Ali(as) did not name his sons after THEM, Umar,, Usman, were common NAMES

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Ya ali madad: *

Ali(as), Fatima(as),Hassan(as),Hussein(as) cannot make mistakes, they are from the ahle-bait. Ali(as) did not name his sons after THEM, Umar,, Usman, were common NAMES
[/QUOTE]

Its ur thoughts and I respect them..u have all right to believe that but I cant... In my view those great personalities are human beings and they can make mistakes but as we know that it was only due to their strength of character aand not due to their inability to do mistakes that make them great!

So if e believe trhat Hazrat ALI (RA) named his 6th son as Umer and 10th Usman since they were common names , did he did bayt to those great personalities since it was common to do that in those days..

And why it was common in those days to name Umar, Usman etc but not now for shias! What have u found out these days that Hazrat ALI(RA) couldnt . As far as my info is concerned Hazrat ALI (RA) was in great position to judge them than u or me after so long!