Are the Sahaba wrongly criticised, and should we follow them?

“The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.”

“Allah's Good Pleasure was on the Believers when they swore Fealty to thee under the Tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down Tranquillity to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy Victory;”

Al-Bara ibn Azib reports that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made the peace treaty with the people of Hudaybiyya, Ali ibn Abi Talib wrote the document. When the pagans objected to the words "Muhammad, Messenger of Allah", the Prophet (ﷺ) asked Ali to rub them out. Ali refused, and the Prophet (ﷺ) rubbed them out himself.

Al-Miswar ibn Makhrama and Marwan report the Prophet's (ﷺ) march to Hudaybiyya and the treaty there. Abu Bakr rebukes Urwa, who suggests the Prophet's (ﷺ) companions would run and leave him alone. Umar questions the terms of the treaty with the Prophet (ﷺ) and then with Abu Bakr, who tells him to hold to the Prophet (ﷺ), for he is on the right.

Zayd ibn Arqam reports that at a watering place called Khumm, between Mecca and Medina, the Prophet (ﷺ) praised Allah and said he was leaving two weighty things among the people: the Book of Allah, which holds right guidance and light, so hold fast to it; and the people of his household, reminding the people of their duties to the members of his family. Zayd said the Prophet's (ﷺ) wives are of his household, but the household meant here are those to whom charity is forbidden: the family of Ali, of Aqil, of Ja'far and of al-Abbas.

“O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them).”

Aisha reports that one morning the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out wearing a striped cloak of black camel's hair. Al-Hasan ibn Ali came and he took him under it; then al-Husayn came and he took him under it with him; then Fatima came and he took her under it; then Ali came and he took him under it. Then he recited the verse: Allah only wishes to remove all uncleanness from you, people of the household, and to purify you completely (Qur'an 33:33).

“They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!"”

Anas reports that on the night the Prophet (ﷺ) married Zaynab bint Jahsh, he went to Aisha's room and said: peace and Allah's mercy be on you, people of the house. She returned the greeting. He then went to the rooms of all his other wives and said the same to them, and they answered as Aisha had.

“The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.”

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Abu Bakr is in Paradise, Umar is in Paradise, Uthman is in Paradise, Ali is in Paradise, Talha is in Paradise, al-Zubayr is in Paradise, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf is in Paradise, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas is in Paradise, Sa'id ibn Zayd is in Paradise, and Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah is in Paradise.

Abu Musa reports that he was with the Prophet (ﷺ) in a garden in Medina when a man asked for the gate to be opened. The Prophet (ﷺ) told him to open it and give the man the glad news of Paradise; it was Abu Bakr, and he praised Allah. The same happened with a second man, Umar. For a third man the Prophet (ﷺ) said to give him the glad news of Paradise with a trial that would befall him; it was Uthman, who praised Allah and said: Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Aisha reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) told his daughter Fatima a secret and she wept, then another and she laughed. After his death Fatima told her: he had said that Gabriel used to go over the Qur'an with him once a year, but this year twice, which he took as a sign of his death, and that she would be the first of his family to follow him. Then he asked whether she was not pleased to be the chief of the women of Paradise, and she laughed.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise.

Umm Mubashshir reports that she heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, in the presence of Hafsa: if Allah wills, none of the people of the Tree who pledged allegiance under it will enter the Fire.

Aisha reports that when the Prophet (ﷺ) died, Umar insisted he was not dead. Abu Bakr came, kissed the Prophet's face, then told the people that whoever worshipped Muhammad should know Muhammad was dead, and whoever worshipped Allah should know Allah is alive and never dies. He recited 39:30 and 3:144, that Muhammad is no more than a messenger, and the people wept.

In a long report from Aisha, Ali, who had not given his pledge during the six months of Fatima's life after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death, seeks reconciliation with Abu Bakr once she has died. He sends for Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr comes to him. Ali says the family know Abu Bakr's excellence and what Allah has given him, and do not envy it, but that Abu Bakr had not consulted them, and they had thought they had a right in the matter because of their kinship to the Messenger (ﷺ). Abu Bakr weeps and says that kindness to the relatives of the Messenger (ﷺ) is dearer to him than kindness to his own. Ali gives him his pledge of allegiance that afternoon and praises Abu Bakr's right in public. The Muslims are glad and draw close to Ali again. The same report begins with Fatima's request about her inheritance; that part is discussed on the page "Was Fatima angry with Abu Bakr?".

Ali's son Ibn al-Hanafiyya asked his father who the best of people were after the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Ali answered Abu Bakr, then Umar. Afraid that Ali would name Uthman next, he asked: then you? Ali replied that he was only a man among the Muslims.

Zayd ibn Arqam reports that at a watering place called Khumm, between Mecca and Medina, the Prophet (ﷺ) praised Allah and said he was leaving two weighty things among the people: the Book of Allah, which holds right guidance and light, so hold fast to it; and the people of his household, reminding the people of their duties to the members of his family. Zayd said the Prophet's (ﷺ) wives are of his household, but the household meant here are those to whom charity is forbidden: the family of Ali, of Aqil, of Ja'far and of al-Abbas.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: of whomever I am the mawla, Ali is his mawla. Mawla means close friend, helper or patron.

“If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe,- and furthermore, the angels - will back (him) up.”

In a long report from Aisha, Ali, who had not given his pledge during the six months of Fatima's life after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death, seeks reconciliation with Abu Bakr once she has died. He sends for Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr comes to him. Ali says the family know Abu Bakr's excellence and what Allah has given him, and do not envy it, but that Abu Bakr had not consulted them, and they had thought they had a right in the matter because of their kinship to the Messenger (ﷺ). Abu Bakr weeps and says that kindness to the relatives of the Messenger (ﷺ) is dearer to him than kindness to his own. Ali gives him his pledge of allegiance that afternoon and praises Abu Bakr's right in public. The Muslims are glad and draw close to Ali again. The same report begins with Fatima's request about her inheritance; that part is discussed on the page "Was Fatima angry with Abu Bakr?".

Aisha reports that after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death Fatima asked Abu Bakr for her share of what the Messenger (ﷺ) had left. Abu Bakr gave her the Prophet's (ﷺ) words: our property is not inherited; whatever we leave is charity. Fatima was angry and did not speak to Abu Bakr until she died, six months later. Abu Bakr said he would not leave anything the Messenger (ﷺ) used to do, for fear of going astray. Later Umar gave the Medina charity to Ali and al-Abbas to manage, and kept Khaybar and Fadak under the ruler.

Malik ibn Aws reports that Ali and al-Abbas came to Umar disputing over the property of Banu al-Nadir. Umar asked a group, and then Ali and al-Abbas, by Allah, whether they knew that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: our property is not inherited; what we leave is charity. They answered: he said so. Umar then told them how Abu Bakr and he had managed it as the Prophet (ﷺ) did, and that he handed it to them on that condition, which they accepted.

In Aisha's report of Fatima's request about her inheritance, Abu Bakr gives the Prophet's (ﷺ) words and says he will not change what the Messenger (ﷺ) did. Ali then says that they acknowledge Abu Bakr's superiority and mentions their own kinship to the Messenger (ﷺ). Abu Bakr answers that doing good to the relatives of the Messenger (ﷺ) is dearer to him than doing good to his own relatives.

Abu Bakr said: watch over (honour) Muhammad (ﷺ) through his family.

Uqba ibn al-Harith reports that after the Asr prayer Abu Bakr saw al-Hasan playing with the boys and lifted him onto his shoulders. He said: you look like the Prophet (ﷺ), not like Ali. Ali was smiling.

Umar divided garments among the women of Medina, and one good garment was left. A man told him to give it to his wife, the granddaughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), meaning Umm Kulthum, the daughter of Ali. Umar gave it to Umm Salit instead, a woman of the Ansar who had carried water-skins for the Muslims at Uhud.

Anas reports that after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death, whenever there was a drought, Umar ibn al-Khattab asked the Prophet's living uncle al-Abbas to pray to Allah for rain. Umar said: we used to ask our Prophet to pray to You for rain, and now we ask his uncle.

In the long report of Umar's death, Umar names six men to choose among themselves. The choice comes down to Uthman and Ali, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf asks each in turn to promise that he will do justice if chosen, and listen and obey the other if the other is chosen. Both agree. Abd al-Rahman pledges to Uthman, and Ali gives him the pledge of allegiance, then all the people of Medina do. The report opens a few days before his death: Umar checks that the tax set on the land of Iraq is not more than it can bear, and says that if Allah keeps him alive, the widows of Iraq will never need a man to support them. Then he is stabbed as he begins the dawn prayer.

“(It is the practice of those) who preach the Messages of Allah, and fear Him, and fear none but Allah. And enough is Allah to call (men) to account.”

In a long report from Aisha, Ali, who had not given his pledge during the six months of Fatima's life after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death, seeks reconciliation with Abu Bakr once she has died. He sends for Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr comes to him. Ali says the family know Abu Bakr's excellence and what Allah has given him, and do not envy it, but that Abu Bakr had not consulted them, and they had thought they had a right in the matter because of their kinship to the Messenger (ﷺ). Abu Bakr weeps and says that kindness to the relatives of the Messenger (ﷺ) is dearer to him than kindness to his own. Ali gives him his pledge of allegiance that afternoon and praises Abu Bakr's right in public. The Muslims are glad and draw close to Ali again. The same report begins with Fatima's request about her inheritance; that part is discussed on the page "Was Fatima angry with Abu Bakr?".

Ali's son Ibn al-Hanafiyya asked his father who the best of people were after the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Ali answered Abu Bakr, then Umar. Afraid that Ali would name Uthman next, he asked: then you? Ali replied that he was only a man among the Muslims.

Ibn Abbas reports that when Umar's body was laid out and the people prayed for him, Ali came, asked Allah's mercy for Umar and said that no one's deeds were dearer to him to meet Allah with than Umar's. Ali said he had always thought Allah would place Umar with his two companions, because he often heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: I, Abu Bakr and Umar went; I, Abu Bakr and Umar entered.

Ubayda reports that Ali told the people of Iraq to judge as they used to judge, because he disliked disagreement, until the people united as one group or he died as his companions had died.

Al-Hasan al-Basri reports that al-Hasan ibn Ali led armies like mountains against Mu'awiya, and Amr ibn al-As warned that they would not turn back until they had killed their opponents. Mu'awiya asked who would be left to care for the people, their women and their children if the two sides destroyed each other, and sent two men of Quraysh to offer peace. To every condition al-Hasan asked for they answered that they would stand guarantee for it, and al-Hasan made peace with Mu'awiya. The narrator then recalls the Prophet's (ﷺ) words from the pulpit about al-Hasan making peace between two great groups of Muslims.

Fought on 10 October 680 (10 Muharram 61 AH) in present-day southern Iraq. Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was killed along with most of his family members and close companions; seventy or seventy-two people died on his side. The governor Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad refused him safe passage.

Anas ibn Malik reports that the head of al-Husayn was brought to Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad and put in a tray, and Ibn Ziyad began poking at its nose and mouth with a stick. Anas told him that al-Husayn looked more like the Prophet (ﷺ) than the others did.

Ibn Abi Nu'm reports that Abdullah ibn Umar was asked whether a pilgrim may kill flies. He said: the people of Iraq ask about flies, when they killed the son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said that al-Hasan and al-Husayn are his two sweet basils in this world.

“O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them).”

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Khadija had four daughters, Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum and Fatima. Fatima married his cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum married Uthman ibn Affan one after another. Zaynab married Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi'. Some later writers hold that Zaynab, Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum were not his own daughters; others hold that all four were born to him and Khadija.

Abu Qatada al-Ansari reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed while carrying Umama, the daughter of his daughter Zaynab and of Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi. When he prostrated he put her down, and when he stood up he carried her.

Ibn Umar reports that Uthman did not take part in the Battle of Badr because he was married to one of the daughters of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and she was ill. The Prophet (ﷺ) told him he would have the reward and the share of one who fought at Badr.

Anas reports that at the funeral of a daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), the Prophet (ﷺ) sat by the grave and his eyes were full of tears.

“The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.”

“Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.”

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the best of people are his own generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow the next.

Abu Said al-Khudri reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: do not abuse my companions. If any of you spent gold as great as Mount Uhud, it would not reach a mudd, or even half of one, of what one of them spent.

“That was a people that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do! Of their merits there is no question in your case!”

“(Some part is due) to the indigent Muhajirs, those who were expelled from their homes and their property, while seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure, and aiding Allah and His Messenger: such are indeed the sincere ones:- But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith,- show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity. And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancour (or sense of injury) against those who have believed. Our Lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful."”

“The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.”

Al-Irbad ibn Sariya reports a farewell exhortation of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), after which the eyes wept and the hearts trembled. He told them to fear Allah, to listen and obey, and warned of much disagreement to come. He said whoever lives will see it, so hold to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs, and beware of newly invented matters.

“If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge!”

Ali's son Ibn al-Hanafiyya asked his father who the best of people were after the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Ali answered Abu Bakr, then Umar. Afraid that Ali would name Uthman next, he asked: then you? Ali replied that he was only a man among the Muslims.

Al-Irbad ibn Sariya reports a farewell exhortation of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), after which the eyes wept and the hearts trembled. He told them to fear Allah, to listen and obey, and warned of much disagreement to come. He said whoever lives will see it, so hold to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs, and beware of newly invented matters.

“The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.”

In a long report from Aisha, Ali, who had not given his pledge during the six months of Fatima's life after the Prophet's (ﷺ) death, seeks reconciliation with Abu Bakr once she has died. He sends for Abu Bakr, and Abu Bakr comes to him. Ali says the family know Abu Bakr's excellence and what Allah has given him, and do not envy it, but that Abu Bakr had not consulted them, and they had thought they had a right in the matter because of their kinship to the Messenger (ﷺ). Abu Bakr weeps and says that kindness to the relatives of the Messenger (ﷺ) is dearer to him than kindness to his own. Ali gives him his pledge of allegiance that afternoon and praises Abu Bakr's right in public. The Muslims are glad and draw close to Ali again. The same report begins with Fatima's request about her inheritance; that part is discussed on the page "Was Fatima angry with Abu Bakr?".

Malik ibn Aws reports that Ali and al-Abbas came to Umar disputing over the property of Banu al-Nadir. Umar asked a group, and then Ali and al-Abbas, by Allah, whether they knew that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: our property is not inherited; what we leave is charity. They answered: he said so. Umar then told them how Abu Bakr and he had managed it as the Prophet (ﷺ) did, and that he handed it to them on that condition, which they accepted.

Al-Hasan al-Basri reports that al-Hasan ibn Ali led armies like mountains against Mu'awiya, and Amr ibn al-As warned that they would not turn back until they had killed their opponents. Mu'awiya asked who would be left to care for the people, their women and their children if the two sides destroyed each other, and sent two men of Quraysh to offer peace. To every condition al-Hasan asked for they answered that they would stand guarantee for it, and al-Hasan made peace with Mu'awiya. The narrator then recalls the Prophet's (ﷺ) words from the pulpit about al-Hasan making peace between two great groups of Muslims.

“O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them).”

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”