Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

A Beneficial Point

It should be understood that, although the preferred course is to refrain from discussing the disputes that arose among the Companions, to seek forgiveness for both sides, and to remain loyal to them, it is not obligatory to believe that everyone in the forces was merely exercising independent judgment on the basis of an interpretation, as scholars do. Rather, some were sinful and acted wrongly, while others fell short in exercising independent judgment because of some personal inclination. But if a misdeed is set against many good deeds, it is outweighed and forgiven.

“The people of the Sunnah” speak well of them, pray for mercy upon them, and seek forgiveness for them. However, they believe that only the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is protected from being left uncorrected in sins or errors of independent judgment. Anyone else may be left uncorrected in sin or error. Yet they are as Allah Most High says:

“Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds”—to the end of the verse.

The merit of deeds lies only in their results and ultimate outcomes, not in their outward forms.