TOPNext to the favorite angels the most respectable and high ranking ones are the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and the members of his household (May Allah be pleased with all of them). Among them are included.
1. Hazrat Butul, most beloved of the prophet, Lady of the Paradise, Banu (Princess) of the world, boss of the women of faith, Bibi Fatima Zahra (Radi Allaho Anha). 2. The two reverend princes of this holy daughter of the boss of the two worlds, the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). They were the two stars within the divine sight of the Holy Throne. They were the pieces of the moon of Imamat of the celestial globe. They were the beautiful flowers of the garden of purification. Both were Qurrat-ul-Ain (comfort of the eyes) of the Holy Prophet(Sall Allaho Alaihe wasallam). They were the bountiful leaders and the fortunate martyrs. They were righteous men and possessors of pious hearts. They were the two moons, the two purified men of faith namely Abu Muhammad Hazraat Imam Hassan and Abu Abdullah Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allah A’nhum). 3. The Mothers of the Ummat (Men of faith), The ladies of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam), the pious wives (Radi Allah A’nhumah) of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). 4. All the Holy companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) who had the credit to see the holy countenance of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) who lived like Muslims and died like Muslims, irrespective of the fact whether they were men or women, adults or children. Then dignities and ranks of these holy people can only be judged by those who know the honor and the exalted position of the Chief of the Prophets (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam).
The lights of discernment in fact illuminate the heart of a Muslim and wisdom and his eyes possess the sight of the beauty of Allah. He follows the truth and leads the life of truth and he dies for the truth and it is his nature to always accept the truth and nothing less than truth. He acquires bright inheritance from the midday sun. The true lover of Allah after acquiring the divine power saves his beloved from any bad company. And Allah is capable to do everything and the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) is His beloved and the boss of all other men of Allah. In fact he is their chief, their boss and their crowed head. And It is He Who is capable to do every thing as He will. Can He not appoint assistants and friends of His most honorable and most esteemed beloved Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam)? Sure, He does; He is Almighty and Omnipotent. So He has done the favour and has appointed and selected the Holy companions of His Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam).
So beware! That any one who dares to taunt or reproach such reverend persons then he denies the skill and the authority of Mighty Allah or he regards His power to be defective and incomplete and tries to find fault in the most exalted ranks and honorable status of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) which is bestowed upon him by Allah. It is indeed an act of great rebellion and insolence against the most beloved prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) of Allah.
The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) said about his companions "Allah, Allah in respect of my companions, do not make them targets after me. So one who loves them, and then he loves them for the sake of my love. And one who is their enemy he is their enemy on account of enmity with me. One, who troubles them then he troubles me and one who troubles me in turn he troubles Allah. And one who troubles Allah then it is near that Allah will seize him (for torture)."
So Beware, O outcasts, O strayed people. You have built up hostility and enmity in your hearts against the pious and illustrious Imams, (leaders) about whom the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) had said in clear words as cited above.
Allah the Almighty has also revealed about them "Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah". It means that Allah accepted their obedience and sincerity {of the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum)} They offered thanks to Him for His favors and bounties given to them So let the followers of other sects say whether Allah and His Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) has included only the names of Hazrat Ali Ibne Talib (Radi Allaho Anho) and the holy grandsons of Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (Radi Allah A’nhum) in the list of the Holy Companions and has excluded therefore the names of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq, Hazrat Umar Farooq, Hazrat Usman, the mother of Momins Bibi Ayesha Siddiqa, Hazrat Talha, Hazrat Zubair and Hazrat Mua’awiya (Radi Allah A’nhum)?
About Hazrat Talha (Radi Allaho Anho) the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) said,
"This is Jibrael (Gabriel) He greets thee and says that on the Day of Resurrection
he will accompany thee during all the horrors of that Day".
And about Hazrat Zubair Radi Allaho Anho the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) said,
"This is Jibrael (Gabriel). He greets thee and states that he will be with you on the Day of Resurrection until he turns away all the flying sparks of the Hell from your face".
Hazrat Jalaluddin Sewti writes in his work "Jamaul-Jawamay" that this Hadith (saying of Prophet) is authentic.
As regards Hazrat Mua’awiya (Radi Allah Anho) we believe that he was the first Monarch of the Muhammadan State for whom there is a reference in Towret. Saying,
"Born in Mecca, the immigrant to Madina and King at Syria".
So Kingdom of Amir Mua’awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) is in fact the state or dominion of Islam.
Has Allah excluded the other Holy companions from the list of companions and has the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) has whispered in the ears of other sects any such thing that the companions of Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) actually mean the people other than those who are mentioned above?
"O you outcasts, (Allah forbid) why you taunt and abuse them. Unfortunately you do not know that this kind of enmity with the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) is in fact the hostility against the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) himself and infliction of any trouble on them means that you trouble Allah which will be punished by the everlasting torture of Hell.
But O Allah let your blessings and everlasting bounty be bestowed upon the sect of the pious followers of Sunnah who pays due regard and offers the greatest honor to all the associates of the illustrious company of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). The sunni sect has adopted these things as a tradition. It is the doctrine of the Sunnis that all the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) are the stars of the heaven of guidance and the planets of the sky of honor. They believe that every member of the class of Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) is the chief of the pious and the righteous persons. They are men of justice and of life upright. They are the crown heads of all their followers till the Day of Resurrection. They include all the administrators of justice, lovers of justice, pious, and righteous and upright people. Any exalted saint irrespective of his spiritual elevation cannot reach to the lowest rank of a Holy Companion. None of the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) belong to any low category.
The other members of Muslim Ummah who possess gold equal to mount of Ohad may never be equal to the value of two kilograms of barley possessed by the holy companions" So said the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) as a sort of comparison between the honor and esteem of the ordinary Muslims and that of the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum). The nearness in the sight of Allah enjoyed by the companions is not at all attainable by others. Any other Muslim could not acquire whatever high ranks the companions did enjoy. Therefore all the scholars of Sunni sect and also all the Sunni (Ahle-Sunnah) firmly believe that these companions of Holy Prophet (peace be upon them) had been highly virtuous, pious and God fearing and they were the righteous men. Therefore the members of Sunni sect regard it to be unlawful to find fault and investigate into the life events and other actions of the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). If however any deed of a companion of Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) is found apparently to be objectionable according to the ethical and religious values then the Sunnis regard that the companion with a sense of sincerity and good intention might have performed such deed, for Allah has said about them "Allah is pleased with them".
So what right does any other person have to doubt in the divine utterance (revelation) of Allah. Therefore the Sunni sect does not at all like to investigate into the affairs of the Holy companions about whom the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) has said: "When my companions are referred to, then be evasive" It means that we Muslims should not have any mistrust or suspicion about the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) by means of investigating into their matters.
Hearing the orders of our exalted boss (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and listening to the strict warnings and severe threats, we the Sunnis keep our tongues tied and make our hearts clean like mirrors in respect of the actions, deeds and events of life of Holy companions (Radi Allah A’nhum). We think that our ordinary common sense and wisdom cannot ex-compass the transactions of these dignified, elevated and High-ranking people.
We are not capable to play the part of arbitrators or judges in respect of contradiction and conflicts, which cropped up between them because we neither possess any authority nor the wisdom to indulge in such terms.
How can we use our humble tongues to criticize such beloved people of Allah and Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). We should not take sides or favor a party out of them and start to rebuke the other party or regard one of their groups to be materialist and lover of worldly benefit. Appearance to the contrary we regard all of them to be the reformists of the true religion. The exaltation and eminence of Islam and the Muslims was their main motive and ideal of life. They were also Mujtahids, religious directors (Interpreters of religious laws) and they had adopted what they found to be prudent and advisable and befitting for the condition of Muslims of their time. No doubt in their Ijtehad (superintending/Interpreting the religious laws) they committed some mistakes and could not comprehend a few things but all of them strictly adhered to the truth (and only truth and nothing except the truth) so all of them are respectable for us. Their differences are similar to the differences, which cropped up in the practical parts of religious doctrines between the great scholars and Mujtahids (Interpreters of religious laws) of the Sunni sect like Imam Azam Abu Hanifa and Imam Shafai (May Allah bless them) etc. Inspite of all the differences between them they never regarded each other to be transgressors or enemies.
Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) said about his opponents "They are our brothers who have rebelled against us". The Muslims should see that all the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) were his true bondmen and devoted followers. All of them are dignified and exalted in the presence of Allah and His Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and they are the luminous stars of the heaven of guidance. So following the commands of Allah and His Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) the pious Muslim Sunni sect made it a doctrine that all the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) were good, steadfast, righteous, pure, virtuous and also the favorites of Allah, Investigation about their mutual differences and contradictions in any way sends us astray and misleads us.
We regard that the companions of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) possessed the chastity like the innocent prophets. All the followers of truth (followers of Islam) and members of the Sunni Sect therefore have followed the highway of firm belief and a perfect faith, which helps them to reach their desirable destinations. On the other hand the followers of falsehood are engulfed into such false details and are so badly led astray that they have lost the true path. For example when such men of ill intentions read this verse of Quran: " And Adam committed sin against his Rab (Raiser) so he was strayed" from this they infer that Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) had disobeyed the command of Allah. Further when they read the verse "For Allah is to pardon you what sins you have went before and what you will send late." From this they get an idea as if Allah has referred to in this verse the sins committed by the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and their pardon (Let Allah forbid such blunder). At another place in Quran when they come across the story of Hazrat Musa (Moses) (Alaihis Salam) and the Qabti (member of Pharaoh’s nation) in which it is narrated that seeing the Qabti oppressing a man of faith Hazrat Musa (Alaihis Salam) struck a blow to the Qabti and knocked him down to death (They inferesed that Hazrat Musa (Alaihis Salam) was a murderer (Allah forbid). On another occasion they heard the story of Hazrat Dawood (David) (Alaihis Salam) and one of his followers, Riyah, which was in fact a story, coined by the Jews and was largely advertised. (They start thinking that he was an oppressor while dealing with Riyah.)
Some of the commentators of Holy Quran have also narrated the entire story. However according to Imam Razi it was totally false and absurd. However the senseless people who heard this story started to discuss about it and led away from submission to Allah and Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and thus deserved the wrath of Allah and Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). About such people Allah reveals’ "You indulged into absurdity as they involved in absurdity". Further he adds "The word of torment proved to be true" in respect of the infidels. If my Rab so wills no doubt he does what he intends."
Muslims should firmly believe that all the prophets of Allah were innocent and that they had never committed any major sins, neither before the prophethood period nor after being bestowed upon the prophethood they deliberately committed any minor sin which can be regarded as scornful by the creatures of Allah so that they had a reason to desert the prophets. "Oh Allah (we beg you) make us firm on the admonition. No doubt you are the most High and Exalted."
Regarding the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) one thing should be remembered that they were neither prophets nor the angels that they could be regarded as to be totally innocents. Some of them no doubt committed some mistakes. However to find fault with them is against the commands of Allah and His Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam). Allah has revealed in Surah Hadid (Iron) that there are two classes of the Holy Companions (Radi Allah A’nhum).
1. Those who spent in the way of Allah before the victory (of Makkah) and participated in
fighting.
2. Those who spent in the way of Allah afterwards and participated in fighting.
The first category of the companions were those who embraced Islam before the conquest of Makkah and they spent their wealth in the way of Allah and fought the Holy war even though they were very small in number and they were weak, poor and were not fully armed with the weapons of war still they bore all the troubles bravely and risked their lives and spent whatever they had in the service of Islam. They are the predecessors and (This includes) first among the immigrants from Makkah and the Ansars (Supporters) of Madinah. They were the most supreme and exalted in their ranks.
The second categories of companions were those who embraced Islam after the conquest of Makkah. They also spent in the way of Allah and took part in the Holy war at a time when the Islamic state has been firmly established and had grown strong. All the Muslims had grown rich and dignified by that time. The Companions of this class however are not equal in rank to the companions of the first class already mentioned.
So Allah preferred the first category of companions to the second category. Then Allah reveals "Allah has promised good for all of them". It means that both the categories will be rewarded paying due regard to what they deserved. Allah reveals about them "They are kept remote from the Hell. They shall never even hear of its sound (of burning fire). They shall abide therein as they desire. The great terror (of Day of Resurrection) will not make them sad. The angels will welcome them (saying) this is your day of which you were promised".
This is the honor of the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) so one who taunts or abuses anyone of them then actually he disbelieves and denies Allah. Many of the stories coined against the companions are baseless and far from truth so quoting such stories against the revelation of Allah has in a way closed the mouths of ill speakers against the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) by revealing the relevant verses of Surah Hadid (Iron). In addition to these verses Allah added "And Allah is aware with what you do". Knowing all about the companions of the Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) and all their deeds Allah has proclaimed. His final verdict that He has promised to these eminent people the reward of paradise, which is free from all kinds of tortures.
Further the promise included the grant of abundant requital to them in Hereafter. Therefore how can anybody now dare to taunt these holy people on any account? Do those who taunt them wish Allah to establish a dominion other than the kingdom of Allah? If still somebody talks absurd things about them then let him break his head and be the owner of Fire. Allama Shahabuddin writes in Naseemur Riaz (on illustration of shifai Qazi Ayaz) "one who taunts on Hazrat Mua’awiya (Radi Allaho Anho) he is one of the dogs of the Hell".
An Important Warning
This is the firm belief of the followers of Sunni faith that "Whenever there is any remembrance of the Holy companions (Radi Allah A’nhum) then it should be a remembrance with well wishing intentions (and full protected). They were the people who remained steadfast in faith and in following the Sunnah (word and deeds) of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) through out their lives. They were the people who did not coin any new thing in the Islamic teachings to form a separate class or group in selfish interest.
They never fought against the men of truth for selfish reasons. The scholars of the religion agree on this point that in battles of Jamal (Camel) and Battle of Saffain the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho Alaihe Wasallam) who encountered with each other by mistake were in fact the victims of erroneous Ijtehad (wrong superintending of religious matters). But in the Battle of Nahr were involved those people who denied the right of rule of Hazrat Ali (Radi Allaho Anho) and rebelled against him. They were in fact the real trouble makers and rebels who had established a new sect namely Khawarij (The Out-Castes or the Revolters) which was responsible for miscreancy and riots in the Muslim state and causing differences in the Muslim brotherhood which are still existing among the Muslims of today.