The Righteousness of the Prophet\u2019s Companions
\nThe Companions of the Prophet, known in Arabic as the \u1e62a\u1e25\u0101ba, are those people who were with the Prophet, some of whom sacrificed their lives and wealth for the sake of Islam. They strengthened the pillars of Islam through their jih\u0101d and endured hardships to promote the religion. Without their courage and determination, Islam could not have made any headway. And had they not risked their lives, Islam would not have existed like today.
\nThe Qur\u2019an and the Prophet\u2019s words are two main sources to learn about religious issues. No Muslim should make judgment about religion without referring to these sources. If not, he is a hypocrite trading under the guise of religion.
\nThe Qur\u2019an and the Prophet\u2019s tradition have heaped praise on the Prophet\u2019s Companions for following him. Everyone wishes to have been one of them to experience their contacts with the Prophet. Anyone studying Qur\u2019anic verses related to those who vowed allegiance to the Prophet in \u1e24udaybiyya could not contain his tears welling up his cheeks. Three of these verses are as follows:
\n\u2018The early vanguard of the Emigrants and the Helpers and those who followed them in virtue, \u2013 Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens with streams running in them, to remain in them forever. That is the great success.\u2019 (Q9:100)
\n\u2018Allah was certainly pleased with the faithful when they swore allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down composure on them, and requited them with a victory near at hand.\u2019 (Q48:18)
\n\u2018Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking Allah\u2019s grace and [His] pleasure. Their mark is [visible] on their faces, from the effect of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah and their description in the Evangel. Like a tillage that sends out its shoots and builds them up, and they grow stout and settle on their stalks, impressing the sowers, so that He may enrage the faithless by them. Allah has promised those of them who have faith and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.\u2019 (Q48:29)
\nAfter reviewing these verses from the Qur\u2019an, how could anyone describe the Companions as hypocrites or unbelievers? Such a description would mean that the Prophet had failed to train Companions during his 23 years of Prophethood. Those who promote these views and attribute them to the Im\u0101miyya are either unaware of the history of Islam or are levelling biased accusations against the Sh\u012b\u02bfa. Promotion of these thoughts and attributing them to the Sh\u012b\u02bfa will have no other result than fanning the flames of enmity in the Muslim community. In that event, enemies will also fish in muddy waters.
\nTherefore, I am surprised that the writer Ab\u016b al-\u1e24asan Nadaw\u012b accuses Sh\u012b\u02bfa of these false beliefs in his book Surat\u0101n Muta\u02bf\u0101ri\u1e0dat\u0101n.
\nIn responding, however, we don\u2019t need to go far. We can look at the Ban\u016b H\u0101shim family. The majority of them had accepted Islam and remained firm in their convictions even after the departure of the Prophet. Among them were Ab\u016b T\u0101lib, the Prophet\u2019s uncle, \u1e62afiyya, the Prophet\u2019s aunt, F\u0101\u1e6dima bt. Assad, \u1e24amza and \u02bfAbb\u0101s, both uncles of the Prophet, not to mention Ja\u02bffar, \u02bfAq\u012bl and T\u0101lib, the Prophet\u2019s cousins; \u02bfUbayda b. \u1e24\u0101rith, the martyr of Badr, Ab\u016b Sufy\u0101n b. \u1e24\u0101rith, Nawfal b. \u1e24\u0101rith and Ja\u02bfda. In addition to them, a large number of prominent figures embraced martyrdom in the Badr and U\u1e25ud wars. Other renowned figures were killed in the Battle of the Trench. The following verse is in praise of those who stuck to their beliefs and never deviated from the right path:
\n\u2018Among the faithful are men who fulfil what they have pledged to Allah. Of them are some who have fulfilled their pledge, and of them are some who still wait, and they have not changed in the least.\u2019 (Q33:23)
\nThe verses Q3:173 and Q59:9 testify that the Prophet had succeeded in his invitation of people to Islam and he managed to cleanse the Arabian Peninsula of idolatry and polytheism.
\nIn addition to these verses, the remarks by Imam \u02bfAl\u012b and his sons, \u1e24asan and \u1e24usayn, in praise of Companions provide the best reasons in favour of Shi\u2019ism. To know the clear position of Imam \u02bfAl\u012b about the Companions of the Prophet, we review his remarks here:
\nAfter Imam \u02bfAl\u012b invited the Iraqi people to jih\u0101d he found them half-hearted and lax. In a sermon, he said:
\n\u2018Where are my brethren who took the (right) path and trod in rightness. Where is \u02bfAmm\u0101r? Where is Ibn at-Tayyih\u0101n? Where is Dh\u016b al-Shah\u0101datayn? And where are others like them from among their comrades who had pledged themselves to death and whose (severed) heads were taken to the wicked enemy? Oh my brothers, who recited the Qur\u2019an and strengthened it, thought over their obligation and fulfilled it, revived the sunna and destroyed innovation! When they were called to jihad they responded and trusted in their leader then followed him.\u2019 (Nahj al-Bal\u0101gha, Sermon no. 182)
\nImam Sajj\u0101d used to recite prayers in praise of the Companions of the Prophet. His prayers started with the following phrases:
\n\u2018O God, and as for the Companions of Muhammad specifically, those who did well in companionship, who stood the good test in helping him, responded to him when he made them hear his messages\u2019 argument, separated from mates and children in manifesting his word, fought against fathers and sons in strengthening his prophecy, and through him gained victory; those who were wrapped in affection for him, hoping for a expect a commerce that will never go bankrupt (Q35:29) in love for him;\u2019 (\u1e62a\u1e25\u012bfa Sajj\u0101diyya)
\nTaking these verses and references into account, nobody can accuse the Sh\u012b\u02bfa of insulting the companions.
\nThe difference between Sh\u012b\u02bfa and Sunn\u012b
\nThe sticking point between the Im\u0101miyya and Sunn\u012b Muslims revolves on this question: Do all of those who went to the Prophet and stayed with him for several days gain this status? Did they commit no other offense until the end of their life? Or did the people around the Prophet also include unjust and hypocritical people? How is it possible that a nation, plunged in polytheism, hypocrisy, sin and corruption before the arrival of the Prophet, would change so that not a single member would commit any sins for the rest of his life? Should we not conduct research on them to see if they were considered as infallible until the end?
\nSociology and human experience say the Prophet\u2019s influence on his society has not been due to any miracle, and has been achieved through enjoining good and forbidding evil. The prophet can guide a large group of his companions and such that they will remain just and pious until the end. But at the same time, it is been impossible to lead a nation so deep in sin and corruption. To that effect, two opposing standpoints are raised:
\nThose who say that the Companions of the Prophet number around a hundred thousand individuals, including fifteen thousand who are well-known as just and promoters of justice. Any possibility of committing sins is ruled out for them.
\nOn the other hand are those who say that, while they respect those who have been with the Prophet, there is no reason to suppose that they are infallible. Therefore, they say, the Companions must be divided into two groups: just and unjust ones.
\nNow, we have to see which view is confirmed by the Qur\u2019an, the traditions of the Prophet and history. Are all of them eternally righteous, such that being in company of the Prophet acted like a magical elixir which converted copper into gold immediately and just being in his company is enough to receive complete guidance? Now we seek answers from the Qur\u2019an.
\nThe Qur\u2019an\u2019s view of the Prophet\u2019s Companions
\nTo grasp the Qur\u2019an\u2019s judgment about the Companions of the Prophet we must study all verses related to this subject. It would be inappropriate to content ourselves only with the verses that praise them. All aspects must be first be studied before making any decision. In the beginning of the discussion, we referred to the verses which praise the Companions of the Prophet. Now let\u2019s see what other verses say in this regard. In different sections, the Qur\u2019an divides the Companions of the Prophet, in addition to the righteous ones, into the following categories:
\nKnown hypocrites (Q63:1)
\nHypocrites unknown to even the Prophet (Q9:101)
\nInsincere ones (Q33:11)
\nThe Naive influenced by those who spread sedition (Q9:47)
\nThose mixing good and bad deeds (Q9:102)
\nThose who risk losing their belief in difficult conditions (Q3:154)
\nSinners whose testimony is not accepted (49:6)
\nThose who pretend to be believers while their hearts are empty of faith (Q49:14)
\nThose whose hearts could be won through alms in order to remain allied with Muslims. (Q9:60)
\nThose who evade confrontation with apostates (Q8:15)
\nThe reference to these ten groups indicates that the Companions of the Prophet were not all on the same wavelength. Even though there were righteous figures among the Companions of the Prophet, there were also these groups of people who, at the very least, were not firm in their convictions. These ten well-defined groups cannot be ignored.
\nIbn Hish\u0101m says during the Battle of Uhud, \u02bfAbd All\u0101h b. \u02bfUbayy and 700 of his followers withdrew from the battlefield after his views about the war were rejected. (Ibn Hisham, S\u012bra, 2\/64) Therefore, how can anyone consider all Companions of the Prophet as just and honest without exception?
\nThese verses encourage us to study the Companions of the Prophet and not consider merely having been in the company of the Prophet as an indication of their righteousness. Even the verses we initially mentioned in praise of the Companions of them do apply to them collectively. If we find evidence that some of them deviated, then we have grounds to reconsider our praise for some of them and do not consider these individuals as having been righteous forever.
\nA chapter in Bukh\u0101r\u012b\u2019s \u1e62a\u1e25\u012b\u1e25 can prove the truthfulness of what we say (\u1e62a\u1e25\u012b\u1e25 Bukh\u0101r\u012b, tradition no. 6606). There must have been impious people who had finally repented and became firm believers. But the contrary is also correct. There might have been pious people who had deviated from the right path later on.
\nNow, we will take a look at the verses of S\u016brat al-Fat\u1e25 to know the context in which the Companions were praised and see if this applies to them forever more. In verse 18 of the s\u016bra, \u2018Allah was certainly pleased with the faithful when they swore allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down composure on them, and requited them with a victory near at hand.\u2019 The Arabic text of this verse makes clear that God has been satisfied with them during a specific period of time. But does this mean they remained as pious as they were until the end? Each individual case must be studied and every possible fault has to be taken into account. Verse 29 of the same s\u016bra reads:
\n\u2018Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking Allah\u2019s grace and [His] pleasure. Their mark is [visible] on their faces, from the effect of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah and their description in the Evangel. Like a tillage that sends out its shoots and builds them up, and they grow stout and settle on their stalks, impressing the sowers, so that He may enrage the faithless by them. Allah has promised those of them who have faith and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.\u2019 (Q48:29)
\nSo it is clear that not everyone was promised such recompense and it only applied to a limited group of the Companions. Therefore, there are some individuals whom we do not know if they remained as pious as they were until the last days of the Prophet\u2019s lifetime.
\nThe following verse applies to all Companions: \u2018And (there is a share for) those who came after them, saying, \u2018And [also for] those who came in after them, who say, \u2018Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who were our forerunners in the faith, and do not put any rancour in our hearts toward the faithful. Our Lord, You are indeed most kind and merciful.\u2019\u2019 (Q59:10)
\nBut those whose deviation has been proven based on verses and other strong evidence could not be considered just and righteous. Therefore, the Im\u0101miyya neither rejects the Companions nor accuses them of sinflness. It only studies their history based on the Qur\u2019anic verses; those who remained faithful to the Prophet until the end are praised and the Im\u0101miyya ask God to bless those whose life is unknown, without following their a\u1e25\u0101d\u012bth. However, the third group whose deviation has been proven is ostracized and their words are of no value.<\/p>\n
How some historical facts were concealed
\nAfter misdeeds of some Companions were unveiled, a group of Umayyad caliphs and their followers indulged in falsifications and said: \u2018Now that God has cleansed our sword of their blood we had better keep our tongue from heaping scorn on them.\u2019
\nThey meant that nobody could speak ill of Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya b. Ab\u012b Sufy\u0101n, \u1e6cal\u1e25a, Zubayr, \u02bfAmr b. al-\u02bf\u0100s, Mugh\u012bra b. Shu\u02bfba, Ziy\u0101d b. Ab\u012bh or tens of other criminals. These words \u2013 attributed to \u02bfUmar b. \u02bfAbd al-aziz or \u1e24asan Al-Ba\u1e63r\u012b \u2013 imply that no blood should have been spilt at the battles of Jamal, \u1e62iff\u012bn or Nahrawan, which were prosecuted by the divinely-appointed Imam. This equals a flagrant denial of the caliphate of Imam \u02bfAl\u012b and his leadership. Killing these criminals and sinners who were in open rebellion and destroying Islam was essential.
\nHere, we shall introduce some of criminals of that time. No researcher can conceal their crimes and sins:
\nMu\u02bf\u0101wiya b. Ab\u012b Sufy\u0101n
\nIt is not an easy task to enumerate the crimes committed by Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya b. Ab\u012b Sufy\u0101n. However, the scholar J\u0101\u1e25i\u1e93 has an interesting description of him. He speaks about the Umayyad and the sins they have committed. Regarding Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya, he says:
\n\u2018Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya took maintained a monopoly on power and refused to consult the Muslims. He ignored the objections of Emigrants and Helpers. The irony is that he named the year he took power as the \u2018Year of Union\u2019 while it was a year marked with division, tyranny and bloodshed. The consultative institution of the Imamate became a monarchy, and the Islamic caliphate became an empire. In the end, Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya even stood against the Messenger of God; the Prophet had said: \u2018The child born to an adulterous woman belongs to her husband.\u2019 Therefore, Ziy\u0101d b. Ab\u012bh must be attributed to her mother\u2019s husband but Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya recognized him as his own brother in a bid to push ahead with his ambitious policies. Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya\u2019s father had had an affair with Ziy\u0101d\u2019s mother. He killed Hujr b. \u02bfAd\u012b, who was a faithful companion of the Prophet, gave control of Egypt to \u02bfAmr b.\u02bf\u0100s. As for his son, Yaz\u012bd, who lacked any qualifications, he named his successor-in-waiting and people were forced to pay allegiance to him him. He sacrificed divine instructions for nepotism.\u2019 (Ras\u0101\u02beil al-J\u0101\u1e25i\u1e93, 294)
\nMoreover, his son Yaz\u012bd, whom he appointed as his successor, committed at least three terrible atrocities in as many years he served as the Caliph:
\nIn the first year of his reign, he killed \u1e24usayn b. \u02bfAl\u012b.
\nIn the second year, he sacked the city of Medina, killed a large number of the Prophet\u2019s followers and authorized his troops to rape women and girls.
\nIn the third year, he demolished the House of God by catapult, set fire to its curtains and killed a number of pilgrims. (Ta\u1e6dh\u012br al-Jin\u0101n, 102)
\nYaz\u012bd\u2019s impudence reached a stage he recited a poem composed by Ibn Zab\u02bfar\u012b against the Muslims during the Battle of Uhud. It reads: : \u2018The Hashemites toyed with monarchy; They seized it under cover of prophecy while there was no revelation from God.\u2019 (Ibid)
\n\u02bfAmr b. al-\u02bf\u0100s
\nHe once pitted people against \u02bfUthm\u0101n: \u2018I used to provoke any shepherd I met on my way against \u02bfUthm\u0101n,\u2019 he said. But after the murder of \u02bfUthm\u0101n, he joined forces with Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya. (Ans\u0101b al-Ashr\u0101f) His volte-face vis-\u00e0-vis \u02bfUthm\u0101n was due to Mu\u02bf\u0101wiya\u2019s promise to make him governor of Egypt.
\nMarw\u0101n b. \u1e24akam
\nHe was a professed enemy of the Prophet\u2019s Household. \u2018The worst of men and the most hostile enemy to the Prophet\u2019s Household was Marw\u0101n b. \u1e24akam,\u2019 says Ibn \u1e24ajar. (al-Ghad\u012br, 8\/384)
\nH\u0101kim N\u012bs\u0101b\u016br\u012b quotes \u02bfAbd al-Ra\u1e25m\u0101n b. \u02bfAwf as saying: \u2018Any child born to the Companions of the Prophet was brought to the Prophet to be beatified. But when Marw\u0101n b. \u1e24akam was taken there, the Prophet said: \u2018This lizard is the son of another lizard and a cursed son from a cursed man.\u2019
\nWal\u012bd b. \u02bfUqba
\nHe is a man who got drunk before performing his prayers. At that time he was governor of Kufa. He made mistake in his prayers and vomited violently in the prayer niche. (Ans\u0101b al-Ashr\u0101f, 5\/33; A\u1e25mad, Musnad, 1\/144).
\nMarw\u0101n and his children ruled the same way. One of Marw\u0101n\u2019s sons was Wal\u012bd b. Yaz\u012bd b. \u02bfAbd al-Malik b. Marw\u0101n. He was reciting the Qur\u2019an in the mosque when he heard his appointment as Caliph. He consulted the Qur\u2019an for his new post and fell on this verse: \u2018They prayed for victory, and every obdurate tyrant has failed\u2026\u2019 (Q14:15)
\nHe was infuriated and pierced the holy book with arrows before saying: \u2018Are you threatening me with such words as obstinate and tyrant? Yes! I am the same obstinate tyrant. When you met your God on Judgment Day tell Him that Wal\u012bd has torn you apart.\u2019 (Ibn Ath\u012br, al-K\u0101mil f\u012b al-T\u0101r\u012bkh, 5\/107)
\nSuy\u016b\u1e6d\u012b says: \u2018Wal\u012bd b. Yaz\u012bd was a rebel. He was always drunk and practiced homosexuality. He even invited his brother Sulaym\u0101n to this act. He married his father\u2019s wives.\u2019 (Suy\u016b\u1e6d\u012b, T\u0101r\u012bkh al-Kulaf\u0101\u02be)
\nAre such people \u2013 a number of whom are among the followers and Companions of the Prophet \u2013 suitable candidates to learn the religion from?<\/p>\n
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Shia Islam: Wiping the feet in wu\u1e0d\u016b\/18<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n