The Status of the Sahaba & the Importance of Following their Manhaj
Chapter 1: The Status of the Sahaba[1] رَضِي الله عَنْهُمْ
1. The Sahaba رضي الله عنهم were on guidance.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ale Imran 3:164,
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيْهِمْ رَسُوْلاً مِّنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ
يَتْلُوْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَإِنْ كَانُوْا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلاَلٍ مُّبِيْنٍ
يَتْلُوْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيْهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَإِنْ كَانُوْا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلاَلٍ مُّبِيْنٍ
“Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers
When He sent among them a Messenger from themselves,
- Reciting to them His verses and
- Purifying them and
- Teaching them the Book and wisdom,
Although they had been before in manifest error.”[2]
When He sent among them a Messenger from themselves,
- Reciting to them His verses and
- Purifying them and
- Teaching them the Book and wisdom,
Although they had been before in manifest error.”[2]
Who are these ‘believers’ among whom Allah sent the Messenger (s)? They are the Sahaba.
Allah has said, -‘Teaching them the Book and wisdom’ the Prophet (s) himself was their teacher. Ibn Kathir says, “Book and Wisdom” means, “Qur’an and Sunnah”. Hence, we get the smell of the Prophethic wisdom from the Statements of the Sahaba.
Allah has said, - ‘they had been before in manifest error’ in this Allah has given witness about their being on guidance after the coming of the Messenger (s).[3]
2. Proof of the Imaan of the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم and that they truly followed the Prophet r.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:143
وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَّسَطًا لِّتَكُوْنُوْا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُوْنَ الرَّسُوْلُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيْدًا
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّتِي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُوْلَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ
وَإِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَبِيْرَةً إِلاَّ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ هَدَى اللهُ وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ لِيُضِيْعَ إِيْمَانَكُمْ
إِنَّ اللهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَؤُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّتِي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُوْلَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ
وَإِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَبِيْرَةً إِلاَّ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ هَدَى اللهُ وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ لِيُضِيْعَ إِيْمَانَكُمْ
إِنَّ اللهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَؤُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“And thus we have made you a just community
That you will be witnesses over the people
And the Messenger will be a witness over you.
And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face
That you will be witnesses over the people
And the Messenger will be a witness over you.
And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face
Except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger
From who would turn back on his heels.
And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided.
And never would Allah have caused you to lose your faith.
Indeed Allah is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.”
From who would turn back on his heels.
And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided.
And never would Allah have caused you to lose your faith.
Indeed Allah is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.”
“The word Wasat in the Ayah means the best and the most honored.” [Ibn Katheer in his commentary of this verse]. “Narrated Al-Bara' (bin 'Azib): “When the Prophet came to Medina, he stayed first with his grandfathers or maternal uncles from Ansar. He offered his prayers facing Baitul-Maqdis (Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months, but he wished that he could pray facing the Ka'ba (at Mecca). The first prayer which he offered facing the Ka'ba was the 'Asr prayer in the company of some people. Then one of those who had offered that prayer with him came out and passed by some people in a mosque who were bowing during their prayers (facing Jerusalem). He said addressing them, "By Allah, I testify that I have prayed with Allah's Apostle facing Mecca (Ka'ba).' Hearing that, those people changed their direction towards the Ka'ba immediately” [SAHIH BUKHARI 1:39 Book of Imaan]
From this we know that Allah tested the Sahaba to “make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels”. The Sahaba passed this test about which Allah says, “it is difficult except for those whom Allah has guided”. In this verse there is a testimony about the ‘Imaan’ of all of those early Sahaba present at that time.
3. Proof of……
(a) The completeness of the Imaan of the Sahaba
(b) Their being merciful to each other and
(c) Their efforts in Ibadah and
(d) Their sincerity
(a) The completeness of the Imaan of the Sahaba
(b) Their being merciful to each other and
(c) Their efforts in Ibadah and
(d) Their sincerity
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al- Fath 48:29,
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللَّهِ
وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ
تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَّبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا
سِيْمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوْهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُوْدِ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ
وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيْلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوْقِهِ
يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا
وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّأَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ
تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَّبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا
سِيْمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوْهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُوْدِ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ
وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيْلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوْقِهِ
يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا
وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّأَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah;
And those with him are forceful against the disbelievers,
Merciful among themselves.
You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer],
Seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure.
Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration.
That is their description in the Torah.
And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers
- so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers.
Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.”
And those with him are forceful against the disbelievers,
Merciful among themselves.
You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer],
Seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure.
Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration.
That is their description in the Torah.
And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers
- so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers.
Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.”
Allah Himself has mentioned the Sahaba in this verse after the Prophet (s). Today there are people who allege that the Sahaba had enmity among themselves. This is proven false when Allah has mentioned about them that they are, “Merciful among themselves”. They were mentioned in the Torah and the Injeel long before they actually came. They stood with the Prophet (s) in his Mission supporting him through difficulties and ease. They faced enemity from their own relatives, people and all Arabs.
Allah says – ‘so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers’
“Relying on this Ayah, Imam Malik stated that the Rawafid are disbelievers because they hate the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. Malik said, "The Companions enrage them, and according to this Ayah, he who is enraged by the Companions is a disbeliever.'' Several scholars agreed with Malik's opinion, may Allah be pleased with them.”[TAFSEER IBN KATHEER IN COMMENTARY OF THIS VERSE]
4. The Statement of Allah about their being truthful, “Allah is pleased with them” and “Allah knows what is in their hearts”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Fath 48:18-19,
لَقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُوْنَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ
فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيْبًا
وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيْرَةً يَّأْخُذُوْنَهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيْزًا حَكِيْمًا
فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيْبًا
وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيْرَةً يَّأْخُذُوْنَهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيْزًا حَكِيْمًا
“Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers
When they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, And He knew what was in their hearts,
So He sent down tranquillity upon them
And rewarded them with an imminent conquest.
When they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, And He knew what was in their hearts,
So He sent down tranquillity upon them
And rewarded them with an imminent conquest.
And much war booty which they will take.
And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
Sa’eed bin Al Musayyib رحمه الله narrated from Jabir رضي الله عنه,
كَانُوْا خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ مِائَةً الَّذِيْنَ بَايَعُوْا النَّبِيَّ r يَوْمَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ
“1500 Sahaba took the oath of allegiance to the Prophet r on the day of Hudaibiyah.”
[NARRATED BY SA’EED BIN AL MUSAYYIB رحمه الله, RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 5:474[4], BOOK OF MAGAZI: CHAPTER ON THE GAZWA OF HUDAIBIYAH]
From the Qur’anic Verse above we know that, “Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers, when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree”. Who were these believers, with whom Allah is ‘pleased’? They are the Sahaba. The incident referred is at the time of the treaty of Hudaibiyah in 6 Hijri when the Prophet (s) took this oath of allegiance. How many Sahaba pledged allegiance? 1500 as we know from the Hadith of Bukhari quoted above. Hence for these 1500 Sahaba Allah has declared, - “Allah is pleased with them”. When Allah is pleased with them, then can we be angry about them? No! Some people claim that later these Sahaba turned away from Islam. However Allah has also said, “He knew what was in their hearts”. Would Allah not know whom to be pleased with? Loving whom Allah loves is a sign of Imaan.
5. The mention of the sincerity of the Muhajireen and the Ansaar and their help to the Prophet r and their giving preference to the Prophet even over themselves.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Hashr 59:8-9,
لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ أُخْرِجُوْا مِنْ دِياَرِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ
يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا
وَيَنْصُرُوْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُوْنَ .
وَالَّذِيْنَ تَبَوَّؤُوْا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيْمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّوْنَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ
وَلَا يَجِدُوْنَ فِي صُدُوْرِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوْتُوْا
وَيُؤْثِرُوْنَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ
وَمَنْ يُّوْقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا
وَيَنْصُرُوْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُوْنَ .
وَالَّذِيْنَ تَبَوَّؤُوْا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيْمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّوْنَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ
وَلَا يَجِدُوْنَ فِي صُدُوْرِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوْتُوْا
وَيُؤْثِرُوْنَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ
وَمَنْ يُّوْقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ
“For the poor emigrants
Who were expelled from their homes and their properties,
Seeking bounty from Allah and [His] approval
And supporting Allah and His Messenger, [there is also a share].
Those are the truthful
And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah
And [adopted] the faith before them.
They love those who emigrated to them
And find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given
But give [them] preference over themselves,
Even though they are in privation.
And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul
- It is those who will be the successful.”
Who were expelled from their homes and their properties,
Seeking bounty from Allah and [His] approval
And supporting Allah and His Messenger, [there is also a share].
Those are the truthful
And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah
And [adopted] the faith before them.
They love those who emigrated to them
And find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given
But give [them] preference over themselves,
Even though they are in privation.
And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul
- It is those who will be the successful.”
6. All the Muhajirs will be in Jannah.
The Prophet r said,
إِنَّ فُقَرَاءَ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ يَدْخُلُوْنَ الْجَنَّةَ قَبْلَ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ بِمِقْدَارِ خَمْسِ مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ
“Indeed the poor among the Muhajireen will enter into Jannah 500 years before the rich among them”
[NARRATED BY ABU SA’EED رضي الله عنه; RECORDED IN IBN MAJAH, AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) IN DHA’EEF AL JAAMI: 1886, ALSO AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH IBN MAJAH: 3327]
7. The Virtues of the Ansaar
The Prophet r said,
آيَةُ الْإِيْمَانِ حُبُّ الْأَنْصَارِ وَآيَةُ النِّفَاقِ بُغْضُ الْأَنْصَارِ
“Love for the Ansar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansar is a sign of hypocrisy."
[NARRATED BY ANAS رضي الله عنه; RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED, SAHEEH BUKHARI[5]: 1: 16, SAHEEH MUSLIM[6]: 137, NASAI, AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI: 15]
8. The 10 who have received the glad tidings of paradise during their lifetime.
The Prophet r said,
أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَعُمَرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَعُثْمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَعَلِيٌّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَطَلْحَةُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَالزُّبَيْرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَسَعْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَسَعِيْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَأَبُوْ عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَعُثْمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَعَلِيٌّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَطَلْحَةُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَالزُّبَيْرُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَسَعْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَسَعِيْدٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
وَأَبُوْ عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ
“Abu Bakr will be in Paradise,
And Umar (bin Khattab) will be in Paradise,
And Uthman (bin Affan) will be in Paradise,
And Ali (bin Abu Ta’lib) will be in Paradise,
And Talhah (bin Ubaydullah) will be in Paradise,
And Zubair (bin Awwam) will be in Paradise,
And Abdur Rahman bin Awf will be in Paradise,
And Sa’d (bin Abi Waqqas) will be in Paradise,
And Saeed (bin Zaid) will be in Paradise,
And Abu Ubaydah bin Jarrah will be in Paradise”
And Uthman (bin Affan) will be in Paradise,
And Ali (bin Abu Ta’lib) will be in Paradise,
And Talhah (bin Ubaydullah) will be in Paradise,
And Zubair (bin Awwam) will be in Paradise,
And Abdur Rahman bin Awf will be in Paradise,
And Sa’d (bin Abi Waqqas) will be in Paradise,
And Saeed (bin Zaid) will be in Paradise,
And Abu Ubaydah bin Jarrah will be in Paradise”
[NARRATED BY SA’EED BIN ZAID رضي الله عنه; RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED, ADH-DHIYA, ALSO NARRATED BY ABDUR RAHMAAN BIN AUF RECORDED IN TIRMIDHI, AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 50]
9. The Sahaba were the best of people - Prophet Muhammed r has given witness about them.
The Prophet r said,
خَيْرُ أُمَّتِي قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَلُوْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَلُوْنَهُمْ
قَالَ عِمْرَانُ فَلَا أَدْرِي أَذَكَرَ بَعْدَ قَرْنِهِ قَرْنَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا
ثُمَّ إِنَّ بَعْدَكُمْ قَوْمًا يَشْهَدُوْنَ وَلَا يُسْتَشْهَدُوْنَ
وَيَخُوْنُوْنَ وَلَا يُؤْتَمَنُوْنَ
وَيَنْذُرُوْنَ وَلَا يَفُوْنَ وَيَظْهَرُ فِيهِمْ السِّمَنُ
قَالَ عِمْرَانُ فَلَا أَدْرِي أَذَكَرَ بَعْدَ قَرْنِهِ قَرْنَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا
ثُمَّ إِنَّ بَعْدَكُمْ قَوْمًا يَشْهَدُوْنَ وَلَا يُسْتَشْهَدُوْنَ
وَيَخُوْنُوْنَ وَلَا يُؤْتَمَنُوْنَ
وَيَنْذُرُوْنَ وَلَا يَفُوْنَ وَيَظْهَرُ فِيهِمْ السِّمَنُ
“The best of you (people) are my generation, then those who will follow them, and then those who will follow them."
Imran (the narrator) added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation.
He r added, 'Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them."
Imran (the narrator) added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation.
He r added, 'Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them."
[NARRATED IMRAN BIN HUSSAIN رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI: BOOK OF OATH & VOWS: 8: 686, ALSO IN BOOK OF THE COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET: 5: 2, ALSO RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM]
10. The difference between the righteous deeds of the Sahaba and the righteous deeds of anyone else.
The Prophet r said,
لَا تَسُبُّوْا أَصْحَابِي
فَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْفَقَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا
مَا بَلَغَ مُدَّ أَحَدِهِمْ وَلَا نَصِيْفَهُ
فَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْفَقَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ ذَهَبًا
مَا بَلَغَ مُدَّ أَحَدِهِمْ وَلَا نَصِيْفَهُ
"Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allah's Cause) it would not be equal to a Mud or even a half Mud spent by one of them."
[NARRATED BY ABU SA’EED رضي الله عنه; RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED, SAHEEH MUSLIM, AND SAHEEH
BUKHARI 5: 22, ABU DAWOOD, TIRMIDHI, ALSO NARRATED BY ABU HURAIRAH رضي الله عنه RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM, IBN MAJAH, AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 7310]
11. The sin of abusing the Sahaba.
The Prophet r said,
مَنْ سَبَّ أَصْحَابِي
فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللهِ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِيْن
فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللهِ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِيْن
“Whoever abuses my Companions, then on him is the Curse of Allah, the angels and all of mankind.”
[NARRATED BY IBN ABBAS رضي الله عنهما; RECORDED IN AL KABEER BY TABARANI, AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 6285]
12. The departure of the Sahaba was a calamity for the Ummah.
The Prophet r said,
النُّجُومُ أَمَنَةٌ لِلسَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَتِ النُّجُوْمُ أَتَى السَّمَاءَ مَا تُوْعَدُ
وَأَنَا أَمَنَةٌ لِأَصْحَابِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبْتُ أَتَى أَصْحَابِي مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ
وَأَصْحَابِي أَمَنَةٌ لِأُمَّتِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَصْحَابِي أَتَى أُمَّتِي مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ
وَأَنَا أَمَنَةٌ لِأَصْحَابِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبْتُ أَتَى أَصْحَابِي مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ
وَأَصْحَابِي أَمَنَةٌ لِأُمَّتِي فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَصْحَابِي أَتَى أُمَّتِي مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ
“Stars are the security for the heavens. When the stars will perish those things will happen in the skies which have been promised (i.e the Day of Judgement).
And I am the security for my Sahaba. When I go from this world then my Sahaba will have to face all those things which they have been promised.
And my Sahaba are the security for my entire Ummah. When they go away (i.e. die) then all those things will come on my Ummah which they have been promised.”
And I am the security for my Sahaba. When I go from this world then my Sahaba will have to face all those things which they have been promised.
And my Sahaba are the security for my entire Ummah. When they go away (i.e. die) then all those things will come on my Ummah which they have been promised.”
[NARRATED BY ABU MU’SA رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM: 6147, MUSNAD AHMED, AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI: 6800]
Chapter 2: The Importance of following the Manhaj[7] of the Sahaba.
1. The Aqeedah[8] of the Sahaba is the standard until the day of Judgement.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqrah 2:137,
فَإِنْ آمَنُوْا بِمِثْلِ مَآ آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا
وَّإِنْ تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ
وَّإِنْ تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ
“So if they believe in the same as you believe in,
Then they have been [rightly] guided;
But if they turn away, they are only in dissension,”
Then they have been [rightly] guided;
But if they turn away, they are only in dissension,”
2. The Virtue of the Muhajireen, the Ansaar and those who follow them in good.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah At-Tawbah 9:100,
وَالسَّابِقُوْنَ الأَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ وَالأَنْصَارِ
وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ
وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الأَنْهَارُ
خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ
وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الأَنْهَارُ
خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ
“And the first forerunners (in faith) among the Muhajireen and the Ansaar and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.”
3. The way of the believers.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An-Nisa 4:115,
وَمَن يُّشَاقِقِ الرَّسُوْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى
وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيْلِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيْرًا
وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيْلِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيْرًا
“And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.”
4. Whatever the Sahaba agreed about is good (Khair).
Abdullah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه narrated,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ
فَوَجَدَ قَلْبَ مُحَمَّدٍ r خَيْرَ قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ
فَاصْطَفَاهُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَابْتَعَثَهُ بِرِسَالَتِهِ
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ بَعْدَ قَلْبِ مُحَمَّدٍ
فَوَجَدَ قُلُوْبَ أَصْحَابِهِ خَيْرَ قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ
فَجَعَلَهُمْ وُزَرَاءَ نَبِيِّهِ يُقَاتِلُوْنَ عَلَى دِيْنِهِ
فَمَا رَأَى الْمُسْلِمُوْنَ حَسَنًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ حَسَنٌ
وَمَا رَأَوْا سَيِّئًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ سَيِّئٌ
فَوَجَدَ قَلْبَ مُحَمَّدٍ r خَيْرَ قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ
فَاصْطَفَاهُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَابْتَعَثَهُ بِرِسَالَتِهِ
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ فِي قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ بَعْدَ قَلْبِ مُحَمَّدٍ
فَوَجَدَ قُلُوْبَ أَصْحَابِهِ خَيْرَ قُلُوْبِ الْعِبَادِ
فَجَعَلَهُمْ وُزَرَاءَ نَبِيِّهِ يُقَاتِلُوْنَ عَلَى دِيْنِهِ
فَمَا رَأَى الْمُسْلِمُوْنَ حَسَنًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ حَسَنٌ
وَمَا رَأَوْا سَيِّئًا فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ سَيِّئٌ
“Indeed, Allah saw into the hearts of all his slaves.
So He found the heart of Muhammed r the best heart among all his slaves.
So He chose him for Himself and sent him with His message.
Then He saw the hearts of all his slaves after that. So he found the hearts of his companions (the Sahaba) the best and made them the ministers of His Prophet. They fight along with him for his religion.
So whatever these Muslims consider to be good then that is good also in the sight of Allah. And whatever they saw to be bad then that is bad in the sight of Allah also.”
So He found the heart of Muhammed r the best heart among all his slaves.
So He chose him for Himself and sent him with His message.
Then He saw the hearts of all his slaves after that. So he found the hearts of his companions (the Sahaba) the best and made them the ministers of His Prophet. They fight along with him for his religion.
So whatever these Muslims consider to be good then that is good also in the sight of Allah. And whatever they saw to be bad then that is bad in the sight of Allah also.”
[NARRATED BY ABDULLAH BIN MAS’UD رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED: 3418, AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) BY ALBANI IN SILSILAH AHADEETH ADH-DHA’EEFAH:VOL.2:PAGE.17:HADITH.533]
5. The sign of the saved group.
The Prophet r said,
تَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِيْنَ مِلَّةً
كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً
قَالُوْا وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ؟
قَالَ مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي
كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً
قَالُوْا وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ؟
قَالَ مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي
“My Ummah will be divided into 73 sects. All of them will be in the fire except one sect.” They asked, “Which one is it, O messenger of Allah?” He r said, “The one on which I and my companions (the Sahaba) are.”
[NARRATED BY IBN ‘AMR رضي الله عنه; RECORDED IN TIRMIDHI: 56 (ALIM), AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 5343]
Conclusion:
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Hashr 59:10,
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِيْنَ سَبَقُوْنَا بِالْإِيْمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوْبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
"And those who come after them say:
'Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren
Who have preceded us in Faith,
And put not in our hearts any hatred
Against those who have believed."
'Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren
Who have preceded us in Faith,
And put not in our hearts any hatred
Against those who have believed."
[1] The “Sahaba” are the companions of the Prophet. They are those who saw the Prophet (s) in the state on Imaan and died also in the state of Imaan.
[2] The Qur’an translation quoted is from the English translation by Saheeh International, available in print by Al-Qaasim Publishing House, also available on the internet atwww.islamsmessage.com
[3] The explanations are by Brother Zaid Patel. They can be distinguished by a smaller font size. All point headings and points are by Shaykh Abu Zaid. If there is any good in these notes then it is only due to Allah, any mistakes are due to human failings and Shaitan. If you come across any mistake in these notes then, please give the correction at the center or email at islamsmessage@gmail.com.
[4] All References from Saheeh Bukhari are from the English translation by Muhammed Mohsin Khan (9 volumes) printed by Kitaab Bhavan also available on the internet atwww.islamsmessage.com
[5] All References from Saheeh Bukhari are from the English translation by Muhammed Mohsin Khan (9 volumes) printed by Kitaab Bhavan also available on the internet atwww.islamsmessage.com
[6] All References from Saheeh Muslim are from the English translation by Abdul Hamid Siddiqi (4 volumes with continuous numbering) printed by Kitaab Bhavan also available on the internet at www.islamsmessage.com
[7] Manhaj – way, methodology
[8] Aqeedah - Belief
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