The best of people are prophets, then Prophet Muhammad’s companions. Their high status is stated in the Qur’an: ‘Muhammad is God’s Messenger; and those who are with him are firm and unyielding towards the unbelievers, full of mercy towards one another. You can see them bowing down, prostrating in prayer, seeking favour with God and His good pleasure’. (48: 29)

The status of the Prophet’s companions and their distinction: The best of them and the consequences of speaking ill of them.

The best of people are prophets, then Prophet Muhammad’s companions. Their high status is stated in the Qur’an:

Just like some prophets are of a higher standard than others, the Prophet’s companions are of different standards. The lowest ranking prophet is superior to the highest ranking companion of the Prophet. Likewise, the lowest ranking companion of the Prophet is superior to the highest ranking person among the following generations.

The best of the Prophet’s companions were those who believed in Islam during the early days of the religion. The one who believed in the Prophet’s message during the time when Islam was in a position of weakness is better than those who believed during Islam’s time of strength. Certainly, those who believed before Makkah fell to Islam are better than those who believed after its fall. God says:

However, the merit of companionship with the Prophet is assured to those who believed afterwards. The Qur’anic verse goes on to say:

God also says:

The best of the earliest believers are the ten to whom the Prophet gave the happy news of being in heaven, and the best of these are the four Caliphs. Next to these ten are the Prophet’s companions who fought in the Battle of Badr, and next to them are those who fought in the Battle of Uhud, then come those who gave their pledges to the Prophet under the tree. God says:

In an authentic hadith, Jabir reports that the Prophet said to those who gave their pledges under the tree: ‘You are the best of people on earth’.1 They were fourteen hundred.

The Prophet’s companions were the trustees of God’s revelations and they delivered Islam to people. To speak ill of them is to cut the transmission of Islam and to raise doubts about the Sunnah of the final messenger of God. They are indeed the safeguards of the Muslim community after the Prophet, as stated clearly in an authentic hadith: ‘My companions are safeguards for my community: when they are gone, my community will face what is in store for it’.2 The Prophet’s companions were not infallible. However, their mistakes should never be an excuse to attack them. Their disagreements should not be revived, except for learning from and drawing lessons. Therefore, it should be looked into with respect and not for seeking excuses. Even when they disagreed, the Prophet’s companions were better than other people, even though they might be in agreement. God has granted them their high status because of their good companionship of the Prophet, not because of their companionship with one another. Therefore, their disagreement with one another was a question of choices when they all endeavoured to be right and they are rewarded for their choices even if these were wrong. To claim that they disagreed with the Prophet is to be unjust to them and God has cleared them of it. They gave the Prophet good companionship and through him they were better than other people.