How should we treat a man who maligns the Companions, (Radhi Allahu Anhum)

Question

How should we treat a man who maligns the three Companions, (Radhi Allahu Anhum) (*)


Answer

The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) are the best of this community and Allah has praised them in His Book. He says:

And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirin (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the Muslims of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirin) and also those who followed them exactly (in faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (Surah At-Taubah 9: 100)

And He, the Most High says:

Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai’ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad) under the tree, He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquility) upon them, and He rewarded them with a near victory. (Surah Al-Fath 48:18)

There are other such Verses in which Allah praises the Companions, (Radhi Allahu Anhum), and promised them that they will enter Paradise. Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali are among the foremost of the people and among those who made their pledge of allegiance under the tree. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) pledged himself to Uthman, which was a testimony to him and an expression of his trust in Uthman, and it was stronger than the pledge of other to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). In many Ahadith, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali are mentioned clearly with great detail as those who were given the good tidings of Paradise amongst other from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.

"Do not defame my Companions, for were any of you to spend the equivalent of Mount Uhud in gold, he would not attain even a Mudd (two handfuls) of them (i.e. their reward) nor even a half of it." (Al-Bukhari 3673, Muslim 2540 and 2541)

This was narrated by Muslim in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, (Radhi Allahu Anhuma). So whoever slanders the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) or abuses them, especially these three: Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman (Radhi Allahu Anhu), he has rejected the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and contradicted them both by slandering them. Such person will be forbidden from receiving the forgiveness which Allah has promised those who follow them, who seek forgiveness from them, and who ask Allah that He place not in their hearts rancor towards the believers.

With regard to slandering these three and their like, he must be advised and apprised of their virtue and informed of high rank and their truthfulness in Islam. If he repents, then he is one of our brothers in religion, but if he continues to slander them, he must be treated with the rejection which the Islamic law accords, as much as possible. Whoever is unable to do so by his tongue and his hand, should hate it in his heart and this is the weakest type of faith, as has been reported in the authentic Hadith.

The Permanent Committee for Legal Rulings – Saudi Arabia

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 1 Pages 237-239


Note * The Three Companions are Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman (Radhi Allahu Anhum) who are referred to in this question.