Abu Bakr (RA) led prayers by the Prophet’s order. Umar (RA) was called the would-be prophet. Uthman (RA) purchased the Well of Rumah. Ali (RA) was declared master of believers. They never claimed superiority—neither should we.
Raqif Makhdoomi
In today’s time, there are people who call themselves scholars yet say that the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) are merely “historical figures” (Toubha, na’udhu billah—may forgiveness be sought, we seek refuge in Allah from such a notion). The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) are those who brought Islam to us and taught us Islam.
The Qur’an ordered us to spend in the way of Allah. But Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddique (RA) taught us practically how to do so. At the time of Ghazwah Tabuk, when the Prophet (SAW) asked for donations, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) brought everything he possessed at the direction of the Prophet (SAW).
Allah in the Qur’an asks us to love Allah and His Prophet (SAW) more than wealth, hard-earned money, cultivated land, and family. The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) taught us this practically. The Battle of Badr—the first war of Islam—is a living example.
A Companion drew his sword and declared, “Is there anyone today who wishes for his head to be chopped off by my sword?” An old man came forward, but he ignored him. The Companion repeated the same words, and the same thing happened. But when he repeated the challenge a third time, the man was killed.
Seeing this, the other Companions were surprised and asked him, “You left this man twice, but killed him the third time. Why?”
He replied, “That man is my father. Twice, my family bond overcame me. But when he came a third time, I had to decide: do I love my father more, or Allah and His Messenger? So I killed him.”
This is what they did for Islam. And yet today, someone with a smartphone and an internet connection will upload videos on YouTube speaking ill of these noble Companions—and we are expected to believe him.
Those who entertain any such theories against the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) must strengthen their faith. For the one who doubts the intentions of any Companion of the Prophet (SAW) has an incomplete faith.
Unfortunately, we consider it a mark of knowledge to dismiss any Companion of the Prophet (SAW). But that is not knowledge—that is walking the path of destruction.
Then there is a group that indulges in comparison. They present hadiths claiming one Companion is superior to another. This ideology is also unacceptable. All the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) are respectable, and each has their own station at their individual level. These are personalities who cannot be compared. They themselves never claimed superiority over one another. So how can we indulge in such things? It serves no purpose.
It is an accepted fact by Ahl-e-Sunnah wal Jama’at that after the Prophet (SAW), the best person was Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). But this does not diminish the virtues of the other Companions.
The Four Pillars
For Hazrat Umar (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “If there were to be a prophet after me, it would have been Umar. But there shall be no prophet after me.”
For Hazrat Uthman Ghani (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “If Uthman had Muhammad’s seventy daughters, he would have given them to you in marriage one after another.” Uthman (RA) is the one who purchased the Well of Rumah for the Prophet (SAW) for more than fifty camels. The rule was that one day one section would get water from the well, and the other day another section. But the Prophet (SAW) wanted water. It was Hazrat Uthman (RA) who brought that entire well for the Prophet (SAW).
For Hazrat Ali (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever’s master I am, Ali is his master.”
Is there any room to compare these four? No, out of the question. I mention these exclusively because these four are often pitted against one another.
They never compared themselves. Yet today’s so-called “scholars” tell us one is superior to another.
Hazrat Ali (RA) said, “If anyone puts me above Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) or Hazrat Umar (RA), I will flog him.” When Hazrat Ali (RA) came to know that there were people who had begun telling others that he was better than these two, he immediately issued orders to curb this. This misinformation was spread by Abdullah ibn Saba, who later instigated the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman (RA). This is known as the Saba’ite fitnah.
The sole aim of the Saba’ite fitnah was to divide Muslims and create hatred among them. It failed then, but in today’s twenty-first century, it has found many supporters.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was chosen by the Prophet (SAW) to lead the prayers. This is proven by authentic hadith. Yet today, there are people who say, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) took it upon himself to lead the prayers” (Toubha, na’udhu billah). The very Abu Bakr who, when the Prophet (SAW) asked for donations, gave even the garment he was wearing—such a man is accused of acting without the Prophet’s order?
Not only these four, but all the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) loved each other unconditionally. The hadith books are filled with accounts of how they cared for one another.
If it is about comparison, consider the words the Prophet (SAW) used for Hazrat Sa’d (RA)—words used for no other Companion. During the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (SAW) said, “Shoot, Sa’d! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you!” These words have been used for no one except Hazrat Sa’d (RA).
The Prophet (SAW) also famously prayed for Sa’d, saying, “O Allah, answer Sa’d when he calls upon You,” making him renowned for having his prayers accepted.
These are the people who gave everything for the sake of Islam.
Hazrat Khabbab (RA) was made to lie on burning coals. His own fat would extinguish the fire, yet he never gave up.
Hazrat Mus’ab bin Umair (RA) belonged to a very wealthy family. He would wear such fine perfume that its fragrance would linger wherever he walked. One could easily tell that Mus’ab had just passed by. But when he entered Islam, he was driven out of his home.
Hazrat Suhaib ar-Rumi (RA) also belonged to a wealthy family. It is said that he would change ten different garments in a single day. But when he accepted Islam, he was thrown out of his house, naked.
These were the Companions of the Prophet (SAW)—the best of humanity. They sacrificed everything: wealth, family, comfort, and even their lives. They preserved Islam, transmitted it to us, and embodied its teachings in every aspect of their existence.
To speak ill of them, to compare them against each other, or to reduce them to mere “historical figures” is not scholarship—it is a path of spiritual destruction. May Allah protect us from such deviations and grant us love and respect for all the Companions of His Beloved Prophet (SAW).
Aameen.
The writer is a law student and a human rights activist
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