The Last of the Prophets, Muhammad SAW, said, “Do not revile my companions. By Allah in Whose Hand my soul is, if anyone of you spends gold piled up like Mount 'Uhud it will not equal a pint of any one of them, nor its half." [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal]
His companions were many, but the most committed were the following ten: Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib, Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, Az-Zubair ibn Al-Awwam, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa'id ibn Zayd, Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf and Abu 'Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.
We do not contend that this group of ten nor all the other companions of the Prophet SAW are infallible of committing grave sins or light sins, but that they are liable to commit general offenses. Nevertheless, to them belongs priority in accepting Islam and in doing good deeds which qualify them for forgiveness of what they may have committed, to the extent that their offenses are forgiven. The same offenses will not be forgiven of those who come after them because they, the Companions (r.a) have a credit of good deeds which erase the bad deeds, a credit the generations after them do not have. This has been confirmed by the hadith: “The best of my nation is my generation, then those who follow them, and then those who follow them.” [Bukhari]
Moreover, if anyone of them committed any act of offense, without doubt he repented from it, or he did good deeds which wiped that offense from him, or he has been forgiven for the virtue of accepting Islam from its start or by intercession of the Prophet SAW himself since they are most deserving of his intercession. Or they suffered a calamity inflicted in this world which covered for that particular offense. In cases where they had to assume the role of the mujtahid (i.e. to formulate independent decisions in legal or theological matters), had they been correct in their ijtihaad (i.e. the decision), they would receive double reward from ALLAH SWT, and had they been incorrect, they would still enjoy one reward and are forgiven for the mistake.
Furthermore, the objectionable amount of their deeds is negligible in comparison to their virtues, their merit lies in the unshakeable belief in ALLAH and His Messenger, the jihad in His Path, the Hijrah (emigration) from Mecca to Medina, the support for the Prophet SAW and the Islamic faith, the valuable knowledge and the good deeds. Whoever studies the life of the Companions (Sahabah r.a) objectively, with insight and with what ALLAH SWT bestowed upon them of virtues, will no doubt discover that they are the best of all people after the Prophet SAW, that there never was and never will be their like and that indeed they are the choicest of the generations of the Ummah which is in itself the best of all nations and the most honourable in the eyes of ALLAH SWT.
In the sixth year after Hijrah (628 C.E), the Prophet SAW led a band of believers to Mecca to perform the 'umrah (smaller pilgrimage). But the Quraish, who were vehemently anti-Muhammad and anti-Islam, prevented them from entering the Holy City by blocking their way with a large army at a place called al-Hudaibiya, about nine miles outside Mecca. War almost broke out between the two parties, but negotiations took place instead. The Prophet SAW sent Uthman ibn Affan (r.a) to represent him at the negotiations, but he did not return for three days and rumors reached the Prophet SAW and his followers that 'Uthman was murdered by the Meccans. Although unprepared for battle, the Prophet SAW could not leave the Meccans unpunished for their treacherous act. So, he assembled his followers and, standing under a large tree, they pledged allegiance to him to fight the enemy. This event is immortalized in the Qur’an for all time till Judgement Day: "Lo! Those who swear allegiance unto you (Muhammad), swear allegiance only unto Allah. The Hand of Allah is above their hands..."[Al-Fath: 10]
Such were our forebears – the people of the Middle Path, not given to extreme acts of humility nor of anger and violence. Thus are they described in the Qur’an: “Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. and those who are with him are strong against unbelievers, but compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves in prayer, seeking Grace from Allah and His Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, being the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Torah; and their similitude in the Gospel is like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, filling the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great Reward.” [Al-Fath: 29]
United in the face of the terrible adversities of the Dark Ages, they accomplished insurmountable achievements. Blending the virtues of honesty, responsibility, modesty and courage, they brought love and light to the downtrodden masses of the superpowers of their time – Rome and Persia. After the demise of the Prophet SAW, his companions (r.a) travelled to distant lands to spread Islamic teachings. Their personal character and noble behaviour attracted people wherever they went. In a short time, they changed the face of the globe – entire populations entered the Islamic fold, and soon the lands from Morocco and Spain in the West to India, China and Indonesia in the East became Muslim territory. The whole social climate was reformed and remoulded. The hands of the oppressors were held and a reign of justice and fair play prevailed. It was the greatest achievement in human history.
The Companions of the Prophet (r.a) memorized and preserved the Qur’an – word for word – in their very souls. Also, they have recorded the most detailed account of the Prophet’s life, his speeches, instructions, commands, morals and behaviour, collectively known as the Sunnah or ahadeeth. Today, we are most fortunate to have these two source codes of Islam, i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah in their most original formats. It is entirely up to the Muslims of the twenty-first century to revive and apply the pristine teachings of Islam and of the Final Prophet SAW in order to attain success, happiness and prosperity in this life and in the Hereafter.
