The madh-hab of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions is that of moderateness between the two ends of extremism and heedlessnessThe madh-hab of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions is that of moderateness between the two ends of extremism and heedlessness. It is moderateness amidst the extremist fanatics who elevate the esteemed ones amongst them to a level that is only befitting for Allaah or for His messengers and moderateness amidst the heedless and harsh ones who belittle and revile them. So they are in the middle between those who are excessive and those who fall short – they love all of them and put each one of them in the due place that they deserve, with fairness and justice. So they do not elevate them to a level they don’t deserve, nor do they belittle them, taking away what they are worthy of. Their tongues are moist with mentioning them only in good, according to what is befitting for them. And their hearts are filled with love for them.
And whatever disputes and differences that occurred between (some of) them, that can be authentically confirmed, we hold that they were Mujtahideen in that regard – either they were correct and will receive one reward for their Ijtihaad and one reward for being correct, or they were wrong and will receive just one reward for their Ijtihaad while their error will be forgiven. They were not infallible since they were human beings. At times they were correct and at times they erred. But how much more were they correct as compared to others being correct, and how fewer were their errors as compared to the errors of others? And on top of this, they will receive Allaah’s forgiveness and contentment.
The books of Ahl-us-Sunnah are filled with a clarification of this pure and radiant Creed concerning these elite people, who were chosen amongst mankind to accompany the best of mankind (صلى الله عليه و سلم). May Allaah be pleased with them all.
An example of this is the statement of At-Tahaawee in his (book on the) Creed of Ahl- us-Sunnah:
“We love the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger. But we do not go to extremes in our love for anyone amongst them, nor do we absolve ourselves from any of them. And we hate anyone that hates them or anyone that talks about them in a bad way. And we do not mention them except with good. Loving them is Deen (Religion), Eemaan (Faith) and Ihsaan (Goodness) and hating them is Kufr (Disbelief), Nifaaq (hypocrisy) and Tughyaan (transgression).”
Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal said in his book as-Sunnah:
“And from the Sunnah is mentioning the good qualities of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger – all of them – and to refrain from (speaking about) what disputes occurred between them. So whoever reviles the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger or (just) one of them, then he is an innovator, a Raafidee.
Loving them is a Sunnah and making du’aa (supplication) for them is a means of getting close to Allaah (taqarrub). Following them is a means and taking from their example is a virtue…“
Posted from : The Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions – Shaikh ‘Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad Al-‘Abbaad, al-ibaanah eBook
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