Chapter Five
On the virtues of the Companions and the beliefs that are obligatory concerning them

What are the merits of the Companions, what creed must be held about them, and how do Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah view the events that later occurred among them? Who exactly counts as a Companion, and what is incumbent upon us to believe regarding them?

The word “Companions” (ṣaḥābah) is the plural of Companion (ṣaḥābī), and a Companion is anyone who met the Prophet ﷺ while believing in him and died upon that belief. What must be affirmed concerning them is that they are the best part of this community and the finest of all generations, for they preceded everyone else, were singled out to accompany the Prophet ﷺ, strove in jihad alongside him, bore the responsibilities of the law from him, and then conveyed it to those who came after.

Allah has praised them in His decisive Book:

“The vanguard—the first to embrace Islam from among the Emigrants and the Helpers—and those who follow them in excellence: Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to remain therein forever. That is the tremendous triumph.” (Qur’an 9:100)

He also says:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are stern against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah. And their likeness in the Gospel is like a seed that sends forth its shoot, then strengthens it, until it becomes thick and stands firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers, so that through them He may enrage the disbelievers. Allah has promised those of them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.” (Qur’an 48:29)