QURAN ON SAHABA :
The Quran which is the ultimate truth described some of those who witnessed the Prophet Muhammed , i.e. "Sahaba" in a very clear way, that leaves no doubt about how they were, and how they behaved. While some (minority) of the "Sahaba" were honored in the Quran for their stand beside the Prophet Muhammed and their supporting of him, the majority were not that fortunate, and they were given the right description by God Almighty in the Quran. In the following part we will see how God, who knows all the secrets and declarations described some of these "Sahaba".
GOOD "SAHABAS", the minority:
[48:18]
"GOD is pleased with the believers who pledged allegiance
to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts
and, consequently, He blessed them with contentment, and
rewarded them with an immediate victory. "
And in 48:29
[48:29]
"Muhammad - the messenger of GOD - and those with him are
harsh and stern against the disbelievers, but kind and
compassionate amongst themselves. You see them bowing and
prostrating, as they seek GOD's blessings and approval.
Their marks are on their faces, because of prostrating.
This is the same example as in the Torah. Their example
in the Gospel is like plants that grow taller and
stronger, and please the farmers. He thus enrages the
disbelievers. GOD promises THOSE AMONG THEM who believe,
and lead a righteous life, forgiveness and a great recompense."
As we can see, God was pleased with these "Sahabas" for what they did at that time, supporting the Prophet and standing with him against the aggressors. There is no guarantee or promise by God in these verses that these "Sahabas" would not make any mistakes, turn back on their heels or stay on the right path. Notice the expression in 48:29, "THOSE AMONG THEM", which tells you, it is not ALL of them. God in the Quran told us about those who believe, then disbelieve then believe again then disbelieve, see 4:137, which reminds us that once you blessed with becoming a believer, there is not a guarantee that you stay a believer. What happened to some of these "Sahabas" as we know from history confirms such that.
NOT SO GOOD "SAHABAS", the majority:
[9:101]
"Among the Aarabs around you, there are hypocrites. Also,
among the city dwellers, there are those who are
accustomed to hypocrisy. You do not know them, but we
know them. We will double the retribution for them, then
they end up committed to a terrible retribution."
[9:73]
"O you prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the
hypocrites, and be stern in dealing with them. Their
destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode! "
[9:74]
"They swear by GOD that they never said it, although they
have uttered the word of disbelief; they have disbelieved
after becoming submitters. In fact, they gave up what
they never had. They have rebelled even though GOD and
His messenger have showered them with His grace and
provisions. If they repent, it would be best for them.
But if they turn away, GOD will commit them to painful
retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. They will
find no one on earth to be their lord and master."
[9:75]
"Some of them even pledged: "If GOD showered us with His
grace, we would be charitable, and would lead a righteous life."
[9:76]
"But when He did shower them with His provisions, they
became stingy, and turned away in aversion."
[9:77]
"Consequently, He plagued them with hypocrisy in their
hearts, till the day they meet Him. This is because they
broke their promises to GOD, and because of their lying."
[9:78]
"Do they not realize that GOD knows their secrets, and
their conspiracies, and that GOD is the Knower of all secrets? "
[9:79]
"Those who criticize the generous believers for giving too
much, and ridicule the poor believers for giving too
little, GOD despises them. They have incurred a painful retribution. "
[9:80]
"Whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask
forgiveness for them - even if you ask forgiveness for
them seventy times - GOD will not forgive them. This is
because they disbelieve in GOD and His messenger. GOD
does not guide the wicked people."
[9:97]
"The Aarabs are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and
the most likely to ignore the laws that GOD has revealed
to His messenger. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise. "
[2:8-15]
"Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the
Last Day," while they are not believers.
In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only
deceive themselves without perceiving.
In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD
augments their disease. They have incurred a painful
retribution for their lying.
When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But
we are righteous!"
In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive.
When they are told, "Believe like the people who
believed," they say, "Shall we believe like the fools who
believed?" In fact, it is they who are fools, but they do
not know.
When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but
when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you;
we were only mocking."
GOD mocks them, and leads them on in their
transgressions, blundering."
[63:1]
"When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear
witness that you are the messenger of GOD."* GOD knows
that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that
the hypocrites are liars. "
[4:60-63]
"Have you noted those who claim that they believe in what
was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you,
then uphold the unjust laws of their idols? They were
commanded to reject such laws. Indeed, it is the devil's
wish to lead them far astray.
When they are told, "Come to what GOD has revealed, and
to the messenger," you see the hypocrites shunning you
completely.
How will it be when a disaster hits them, as a
consequence of their own works? They will come to you
then and swear by GOD: "Our intentions were good and
righteous!"
GOD is fully aware of their innermost intentions. You
shall ignore them, enlighten them, and give them good
advice that may save their souls. "
[4:141]
"They watch you and wait; if you attain victory from GOD,
they say (to you), "Were we not with you?" But if the
disbelievers get a turn, they say (to them), "Did we not
side with you, and protect you from the believers?" GOD
will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection. GOD
will never permit the disbelievers to prevail over the believers. "
[4:142]
"The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He
is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the
Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is
because they only show off in front of the people, and
rarely do they think of GOD."
[63:4-5]
"When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks.
And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence.
They are like standing logs. They think that every call
is intended against them. These are the real enemies;
beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
When they are told, "Come let the messenger of GOD pray
for your forgiveness," they mockingly turn their heads,
and you see them repel others and act arrogantly. "
[33:18-19]
"GOD is fully aware of the hinderers among you, and those
who say to their comrades, "Let us all stay behind."
Rarely do they mobilize for defense.
Also, they are too stingy when dealing with you. If
anything threatens the community, you see their eyes
rolling with fear, as if death had already come to them.
Once the crisis is over, they whip you with sharp
tongues. They are too stingy with their wealth. These are
not believers, and, consequently, GOD has nullified their
works. This is easy for GOD to do."
[47:16]
"Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave
they ask those who were enlightened, "What did he just
say?" GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they
follow only their opinions."
[47:29-30]
"Did those who harbor doubts in their hearts think that
GOD will not bring out their evil thoughts?
If we will, we can expose them for you, so that you can
recognize them just by looking at them. However, you can
recognize them by the way they talk. GOD is fully aware
of all your works."
[48:11]
"The sedentary Aarabs who stay behind will say, "We have
been preoccupied with our money and our families, so ask
forgiveness for us!" They utter with their tongues what
is not in their hearts. Say, "Who can protect you from
GOD, if He willed any adversity for you, or if He willed
any blessing for you?" GOD is fully Cognizant of
everything you do. "
It is interesting to know that the Quran has told Muhammed that he (Muhammed ) does not know these hypocrites among his "Sahaba", because they look the same like everyone else. ONLY GOD knew them. See 9:101
MORE QURANIC VERSES about what some of the believers do, this includes all the "Sahabas":
[9:38-39]
"O you who believe, when you are told, "Mobilize in the
cause of GOD," why do you become heavily attached to the
ground? Have you chosen this worldly life in place of the
Hereafter? The materials of this world, compared to the
Hereafter, are nil.
Unless you mobilize, He will commit you to painful
retribution and substitute other people in your place;
you can never hurt Him in the least. GOD is Omnipotent."
[5:54]
"O you who believe, if you revert from your religion, then
GOD will substitute in your place people whom He loves
and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers,
stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause
of GOD without fear of any blame. Such is GOD's blessing;
He bestows it upon whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous,
Omniscient. "
[8:27-28]
"O you who believe, do not betray GOD and the messenger,
and do not betray those who trust you, now that you know.
You should know that your money and your children are a
test, and that GOD possesses a great recompense. "
[8:25]
"Beware of a retribution that may not be limited to the
evildoers among you.* You should know that GOD's
retribution is severe. "
[33:12]
"The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts
said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more
than an illusion!"
[61:2-3]
"O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?
Most abominable in the sight of GOD is that you say what
you do not do."
[57:16]
"Is it not time for those who believed to open up their
hearts for GOD's message, and the truth that is revealed
herein? They should not be like the followers of previous
scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and,
consequently, many of them turned wicked. "
[49:17]
"They act as if they are doing you a favor by embracing
Submission! Say, "You are not doing me any favors by
embracing Submission. GOD is the One who is doing you a
great favor by guiding you to the faith, if you are sincere."
[9:24]
"Proclaim: "If your parents, your children, your siblings,
your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a
business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are
more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger, and the
striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings
His judgment." GOD does not guide the wicked people."
[49:14]
"The Aarabs said, "We are Mu'mens (believers)." Say, "You
have not believed; what you should say is, `We are
Muslims (submitters),' until belief is established in
your hearts." If you obey GOD and His messenger, He will
not put any of your works to waste. GOD is Forgiver, Most
Merciful."
[9:45]
"The only people who wish to be excused are those who do
not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Their hearts
are full of doubt, and their doubts cause them to waver."
[9:47]
"Had they mobilized with you, they would have created
confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions
among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is
fully aware of the transgressors. "
[9:81]
"The sedentary rejoiced in their staying behind the
messenger of GOD, and hated to strive with their money
and their lives in the cause of GOD. They said, "Let us
not mobilize in this heat!" Say, "The fire of Hell is
much hotter," if they could only comprehend. "
[47:29-30]
"Did those who harbor doubts in their hearts think that
GOD will not bring out their evil thoughts?
If we will, we can expose them for you, so that you can
recognize them just by looking at them. However, you can
recognize them by the way they talk. GOD is fully aware
of all your works. "
[8:6]
"They argued with you against the truth, even after
everything was explained to them. They acted as if they
were being driven to certain death. "
[47:38]
"You are invited to spend in the cause of GOD, but some of
you turn stingy. The stingy are stingy towards their own
souls. GOD is Rich, while you are poor. If you turn away,
He will substitute other people in your place, and they
will not be like you."
[9:58]
"Some of them criticize your distribution of the
charities; if they are given therefrom, they become
satisfied, but if they are not given therefrom, they
become objectors."
[47:16]
"Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave
they ask those who were enlightened, "What did he just
say?" GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they
follow only their opinions."
[9:61]
"Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, "He is all
ears!" Say, "It is better for you that he listens to you.
He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a
mercy for those among you who believe." Those who hurt
GOD's messenger have incurred a painful retribution."
From the above Quranic verses we can see that the "Sahabas" like all the people of all generations were either good or bad. Some followed the Prophet and the message he brought them, the QURAN, and these were the MINORITY as God tells us in the Quran. see 43:78 The others could not get over their idol-worship and stayed with the hypocrites and these were the majority, as God told us in 43:78.
"We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth." [43:78]
If these were the conditions of the people who lived and witnessed the Prophet Muhammed and learned their Islam (Submission) first hand from him, how can we expect the conditions of those who lived after his death ?!
"Some men from my companions will come to my Lake-Fount and they will
be driven away from it, and I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' It
will be said, 'You have no knowledge of what they innovated after you
left: they turned APOSTATE as renegades (reverted from true Islam)."
Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 8.586 Narrated Ibn al-Musaiyab:
(also Sahih Muslim, part 10, p64, also P59)