it is only a small number—are excused, for they were either jurists who exercised ijtihad and reached the right conclusion, or jurists who exercised ijtihad and fell short. Such questions lie within the scope of discretionary reasoning: if the mujtahid is correct he receives two rewards, and if he errs he receives one reward and the error is pardoned. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When the judge strives and is correct, he receives two rewards; and when he strives and is mistaken, he receives one reward.” (1)

Fourth: The Companions were human beings; as individuals they could commit mistakes, for infallibility does not apply to each person among them. Whatever slips may have occurred are offset by several means of expiation, including:

1. The possibility that the individual repented of it—and repentance erases any sin, whatever it may be, as the proofs affirm.

2. Their prior merits and outstanding virtues, which necessitate forgiveness for whatever might have issued from them—if indeed anything did. Allah, exalted be He, says, “Indeed, good deeds wipe away bad deeds” (Hud 11:114).