[Chapter: Allah Commanded That Forgiveness Be Sought for Muhammad’s Companions, but the Rāfidah Reviled Them]

Chapter

When the early Muslims said:

“Allah commanded that forgiveness be sought for Muhammad’s Companions, but the Rāfidah reviled them” (1),

they spoke the truth. Likewise, the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in the authentic hadith:

“Do not revile my Companions” (2)

establish that reviling them is forbidden, even though the command to seek forgiveness for the believers and the prohibition against reviling them apply generally.

In the two Sahih collections, Ibn Masūd relates that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Reviling a Muslim is wickedness, and fighting him is disbelief.” (3)

Allah Most High also said:

“O you who believe, let no men ridicule other men, for they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule other women, for they may be better than them. Do not defame one another or call one another by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to be characterized by wickedness after having faith! Those who do not repent are the wrongdoers.”

[Surah al-Hujurāt: 11]

Thus, He prohibited ridicule, defamation, and calling others by offensive nicknames.

Defamation means finding fault with someone and attacking him. An example is Allah Most High’s saying:

“Among them are those who criticize you regarding the charities.”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 58]

That is, they find fault with you and attack you. Likewise, He said:

“Those who criticize the believers who voluntarily give charity.”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 79]

And He said:

“Do not defame one another.”

[Surah al-Hujurāt: 49]

That is, none of you should defame another, just as He said:

“Why, when you heard it, did the believing men and women not think well of themselves?”

[Surah al-Nūr: 12]