THE SAHAABAH

The sahaabah (radiallahu anhum) are all those who saw Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), embraced islam and died as muslims. Any person who was in the companionship of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) for even a minute is a sahaabi, provided that he/she died as a muslim. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that all his sahaabah are just and pious. It is, therefore, obligatory to believe in the justice an piety of all the Sahaabah. It is not permissible to criticize or find fault with any Sahaabi. Criticising the Sahaabah – as Shiahs and modernists do – is among the gravest of sins and it leads one close to kufr.

Among the Sahaabah there were mutual differences and disputes. The Ummah is not permitted to revile or rebuke any among the Sahaabah for such differences. All the disputes among the Sahaabah were purely for the sake of the Deen and not motivated by the lowly nafs nor for any personal or worldly gain.

The highest ranking Sahaabi is Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallahu anhu). His rank by Allah is only next to Rasoolullah (SAW). His rank is superior to that of the combined Ummah right until the Day of Qiyaamah. Next in rank among the sahaabah is Hadhrat Umar Ibn Khattaab(RA). Then comes the rank of Hadhrat Uthmaan(RA) and then that of Hadhrat Ali (RA). After these four, the positions of the other Sahaabah are known to only Allah .

Among the Sahaabah is a group of ten Companions who are known by the title Ashrah Mubash-sharah which means the ten Sahaaba about whom Rasoolullah (SAW) gave the glad tidings of Jannat. Rasoolullah (SAW) informed that these ten Sahaabah have already been promised Jannat, hence we have to believe with certainty that the following ten Companions are Jannati: Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique. Hadhrat Umar Ibn Khattab, Hadhrat Uthmaan Ibn Affaan, Hadhrat Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, Hadhrat Talhah, Hadhrat Zubair, Hadhrat Abdur Rahman Bin Auf, Hadhrat Sa'd Bin Abi Waqqas, Hadhrat Saeed Bin Zaid and Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah Bin Jarraah (Radiallahu anhum).

After Rasoolullah (SAW) the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam are the first authorities and foundation of Islaam . Understanding the Qur'aan and Islaam is inextricably interwoven with the expositions given by the noble Sahaabah. It is essential to accept that the Sahaabah are the authorities of Islaam .

The following article explains the rank and importance of the Sahaabah in relation to Imaan and Islaam .