[Section: Disparaging the caliphs and other Companions falls under impugning people’s honor and involves a right due to Allah Most High]

Section

Elsewhere, we have discussed people’s standing in relation to divine promises and threats, reward and punishment, and explained that the punishment of Hell may be lifted from one who commits evil deeds through some ten causes. If the ruling concerning those who exercise independent juristic judgment and the ruling concerning sinners apply generally throughout the Muslim community, then how much more must they apply to the Companions (1) of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace? If blame and punishment may be averted from later generations of independent jurists and sinners (2) by the causes already mentioned, then what of the first and foremost among the Emigrants and the Helpers?

We shall elaborate upon this, using the lesser case to illustrate the greater. We say:

The statements of anyone who disparages the caliphs or other Companions—whether a Rāfidī or otherwise—fall under impugning people’s honor. They involve a right due to Allah Most High because of the allegiance, enmity, love, and hatred bound up with them; they also entail rights owed to human beings (3).

It is well known that even when speaking about people below the rank of the Companions—such as rulers vying for sovereignty, or scholars and shaykhs who differ over (4) matters of knowledge and religion—we must speak with knowledge and justice, not ignorance and injustice. Justice is obligatory for everyone toward everyone under all circumstances, whereas injustice is absolutely forbidden and is never permissible under any circumstances.

Allah Most High says:

“Do not let hatred of a people lead you away from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.”