A compilation of the reports transmitted from the early generations concerning the various punishments and legal penalties they considered obligatory—and in fact enforced—against anyone who reviled the Companions:

• It is related of ʿUmar that he gave thirty lashes to a man who had behaved insolently toward Umm Salamah. When his own son ʿUbayd Allah once vilified al-Miqdad, ʿUmar resolved to cut out his tongue. The Companions of Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—interceded, whereupon ʿUmar said, “Leave me to cut off my son’s tongue, so that after me no one will dare to insult any of Muhammad’s Companions.”

• The son of ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abzā asked his father: “If someone reviles Abu Bakr, what would you do with him?” He replied, “I would strike off his head.” I asked, “And if he reviles ʿUmar?” He answered, “I would strike off his head as well.”

• When word reached ʿAlī that Ibn al-Sawdāʾ had disparaged Abu Bakr and ʿUmar, he summoned the man, brought a sword, and was about to kill him. Intercession was made, and ʿAlī said, “He shall not dwell in the same land as I.” He therefore banished him to Syria.

• Consequently, Ḥuraym ibn ʿAbd Allah, Ḥanẓala, and ʿAdī ibn Ḥātim moved from Kūfa to Qarqīsiyā, and they said