We Love the Companions of the Prophet

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Imam Ali Ibn Abi al `Izz al Hanafi

We love the Companions of the Prophet. Nonetheless we do not go to extremes in

the love of anyone of them, nor do we forsake anyone of them. But we hate him
who hates them, and talks of them in an unseemly manner. As for us, we do
not mention them but in good terms. Their love is religion, faith, and excellence.
And their hatred is disbelief, hypocrisy and rebellion.

This is because Allah spoke well of them, as did His Messenger. Allah was pleased
with them and promised them "the good." He said:

"And the Outstrippers from among the Immigrants and the Helpers and
those who followed them in good deeds, Allah was pleased with them and
they were pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens beneath
which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the great triumph." (Al-
Tawbah, 100)

Allah also said:

"Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him, are hard
upon the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves, you see them
bowing down, prostrating themselves." (Al-Fut-h, 29)

The Sahihayn have a report narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri. It says that something
happened between Khalld b. Walid and 'Abdul Rahman b. 'Awf, Khalld said a harsh
word to 'Abdul Rahman. The Prophet (saws) said: "Don't say harsh things to any of
my Companions. If one of you were to spend gold equal to Mount Uhud, he will not
achieve in any measure what any one of them achieved - not even half of that." Thus
we see that the Prophet (saws) prohibited one who had latter companionship from
speaking against one who had earlier companionship. This, when a person of the
stature of Khalid ibn Walid is involved, who embraced Islam before the fall of
Makkah. What about him who had no share of his companionship?

Incidentally, what is narrated of the Prophet's words, viz., "My companions are stars.
Whomsoever you followed, you will be guided" is a weak report not to be found in
any of the authentic collections.

However, the following is an authentic report from the Prophet. He said: "No one
who pledged his hand under the tree will enter the Fire."

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud put it very aptly when he said describing them: "Allah looked
upon the hearts of the people and found the heart of Muhammad as the best among
them. So He chose him for Himself, and sent him with His message. Then He looked
at the hearts of the people, after the heart of the Prophet (saws), and found the
hearts of his companions as the best among the people. Therefore He made them
helpers to His messenger."
Referring to Tahawi's words, "Their hatred is disbelief and hypocrisy," we have
already spoken over the declaration of apostasy while speaking of the innovators.
This disbelief (as used by Tahawi) is of the same nature as mentioned in the words
of Allah:

"And whoever did not judge by what Allah has revealed, they, such are the
unbelievers." (Al-Ma 'idah, 44)