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Companions of the Prophet (s): Difference between revisions
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The '''companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s)''', or ''' | The '''companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s)''', or '''Saḥāba''' (Arabic: الصحابة) , are, according to some scholars, a hundred-thousand individuals who met the [[Prophet (s)]] and believed in him. | ||
The majority of Sunni scholars believe that all the prophet's companions were just and righteous individuals ('Ādil), and hence, any mistakes they made or crimes they committed were because of an error in their individual [[ijtihad]]. According to Shias, the Sahabah were no different to the rest of the Muslims in this regard, and the veracity or justice of each companions would need to be established separately. | The majority of Sunni scholars believe that all the prophet's companions were just and righteous individuals ('Ādil), and hence, any mistakes they made or crimes they committed were because of an error in their individual [[ijtihad]]. According to Shias, the Sahabah were no different to the rest of the Muslims in this regard, and the veracity or justice of each companions would need to be established separately. | ||
In the view of Shias, the best of the Prophet's (s) companions were [[Imam | In the view of Shias, the best of the Prophet's (s) companions were [[Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] and his two sons, [[Imam Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
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Some people have included further conditions to the definition, such as companionship for a considerable period of time, memorising narrations from him, fighting in wars and battles alongside the Prophet (s), and being martyred in the army of the Prophet. However, that which has been accepted and approved of by the scholars, is the original definition without these additional conditions . | Some people have included further conditions to the definition, such as companionship for a considerable period of time, memorising narrations from him, fighting in wars and battles alongside the Prophet (s), and being martyred in the army of the Prophet. However, that which has been accepted and approved of by the scholars, is the original definition without these additional conditions . | ||
It is reported that the Prophet's companions numbered up to one-hundred and fourteen-thousand individuals . Establishing whether or not someone was a companion can be done through: | It is reported that the Prophet's companions numbered up to one-hundred and fourteen-thousand individuals . Establishing whether or not someone was a companion can be done through: | ||
* Widely reported narrations ( | * Widely reported narrations ([[tawatur]]) | ||
* If such is recorded in three or more reports with different chains ( | * If such is recorded in three or more reports with different chains ([[Istifada]]) | ||
* Being well known to people ( | * Being well known to people ([[shuhra]]), | ||
* Being reported by trustworthy narrators (khabar | * Being reported by trustworthy narrators ([[khabar thiqa]]) | ||
Those who had the good fortune of seeing the Prophet (s), but were young in age, are known as the 'minor companions' ( | Those who had the good fortune of seeing the Prophet (s), but were young in age, are known as the 'minor companions' (Saḥāba Ṣighār). | ||
=Era of the Companions= | =Era of the Companions= | ||
Since some of the companions lived almost up to the year one-hundred [[Hijri]], the era of Sahabah is considered to be between the time after the Prophet's demise to the end of the first Islamic century . | Since some of the companions lived almost up to the year one-hundred [[Hijri]], the era of Sahabah is considered to be between the time after the Prophet's demise to the end of the first Islamic century . | ||
The last companion to pass away in [[Kufa]] was [[ | The last companion to pass away in [[Kufa]] was [['Abd Allah b. Abi Awfa]] in the eighty-sixth year of Hijri. In Medina, the last of the companions to leave this world was [[Sahl b. Sa'd Sa'idi]] in the year ninety-one Hijri, while he was a hundred years old. [[Anas b. Malik]] was the final companion to die in the city of [[Basra]] in either ninety-one or ninety-three Hijri. The last companion in [[Sham]] was [['Abd Allah b. Yasr]], who passed away in eighty-eight Hijri . | ||
Abu Tufayl 'Amir B. Wāthilah was the last of those who saw the [[Prophet (s)]], but were not counted among his companions, to pass away. [[Abu Tufayl]] was a flagbearer in the government of [[Mukhtar b. Abi 'Ubayd al-Thaqafi]], and believed in the doctrine of [[Raj' | Abu Tufayl 'Amir B. Wāthilah was the last of those who saw the [[Prophet (s)]], but were not counted among his companions, to pass away. [[Abu Tufayl]] was a flagbearer in the government of [[Mukhtar b. Abi 'Ubayd al-Thaqafi]], and believed in the doctrine of [[Raj'a]]. He died after one-hundred Hijri. It appears that [[Fadil Mamaqani]] has counted him among the companions of the Prophet (s) . | ||
==Recording Companions== | ==Recording Companions== | ||
The study regarding the companions began in the [[first Islamic century]] (post-Prophetic migration) in the form of cataloguing the works of companions (Fehrist) or listing their names (Tasmīyah or Ismā'). The root of this practise (listing names) originates from the science of genealogy, or is at least an extension of it, as it existed in pre-Islamic Arabia during the era of ignorance ([[ | The study regarding the companions began in the [[first Islamic century]] (post-Prophetic migration) in the form of cataloguing the works of companions (Fehrist) or listing their names (Tasmīyah or Ismā'). The root of this practise (listing names) originates from the science of genealogy, or is at least an extension of it, as it existed in pre-Islamic Arabia during the era of ignorance ([[Jahiliyya]]). As a result of this continuing tradition, the recording of the companions names, and their individual or tribal specifications, was seen as an important endeavour. The investigation about the companions began to develop into an encyclopaedia for Sahabah. When the writing of biographies was introduced, lists of those who had participated in wars or tribes which had martyrs, and information of this kind started to be recorded. Events like the first and second allegiance of [['Uqabah]], or who was martyred during the [[Battle of Badr]], were documented. We see this type of documentation in the [[Sirah' of Ibn Ishaq]] and 'Maghāzi' of Musa b. 'Uqbah . This approach of cataloguing the works of companions (Fehrist) gradually developed, finally becoming very different and independent from the previous name listing (Tasmīyah) method of documentation. | ||
The majority of books written about the biographies of [[hadith narrators]] under the topics of (narrator) history or Tabaqat (listing the narrators in order of a particular criterion), are usually dedicated to the works authored by the companions (Fehrist). Waqidī is a pioneering example of this occurrence. Although (Tabaqat) Waqidī's book is not available, his student, Ibn Sa'd, has brought a lot of the material from his teachers work in his own book, [[Al-Tabaqat | The majority of books written about the biographies of [[hadith narrators]] under the topics of (narrator) history or Tabaqat (listing the narrators in order of a particular criterion), are usually dedicated to the works authored by the companions (Fehrist). Waqidī is a pioneering example of this occurrence. Although (Tabaqat) Waqidī's book is not available, his student, Ibn Sa'd, has brought a lot of the material from his teachers work in his own book, ''[[Al-Tabaqat al-kubra]]''. In this book, Ibn Sa'd has mentioned most of the companions names. The names and grouping, however, have not been arranged in an alphabetical order, as this method of ordering lists is a latter development. The names have been arranged in what seems to be a geographical order, so, for example first companions who resided in Mecca are mentioned, followed by those who were in Ta'if . | ||
Alongside such books, other independently organised materials under the name of Tasmīyah or Ismā' (listing names) was also produced. The oldest work written under this title was authored by [[' | Alongside such books, other independently organised materials under the name of Tasmīyah or Ismā' (listing names) was also produced. The oldest work written under this title was authored by [['Ubayd Allah b. Abi Rafi']]. His book was titled 'Names of those who were martyred in the ranks of the Commander of the Faithful, [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] in (the battles of)[[ Jamal]], [[Sifin]] and [[Nahrawan]]'. The book itself no longer exists, but [[Qadi Nu'man al-Misri ]] has brought it in his ''[[Sharh al-akhbar]]'' . | ||
Larger collections of works regarding the Sahabah have been collected with titles such as 'Ma'rifat al-Sahabah' (Knowing the Companions) and 'Mu'jam al-Sahabah'. In the third century, authors such as Ali b. Madīnī (d. [[234]]/ 849), Hilwani Hasan b. Ali (d.[[242]]/ 856), 'Abbas b. Ya'qub Rawajini (d.[[ 250]]/ 864 or [[271]]/ 884), Abdan, and Abu Muhammad | Larger collections of works regarding the Sahabah have been collected with titles such as 'Ma'rifat al-Sahabah' (Knowing the Companions) and 'Mu'jam al-Sahabah'. In the third century, authors such as Ali b. Madīnī (d. [[234]]/ 849), Hilwani Hasan b. Ali (d.[[242]]/ 856), 'Abbas b. Ya'qub Rawajini (d.[[ 250]]/ 864 or [[271]]/ 884), Abdan, and Abu Muhammad 'Abd Allah b. Muhammad b. 'Isa Maruzi, and following them, Abu Mansur Bawardi (in the beginning of the fourth century) all authored books with the title 'Ma'rifat al-Sahabah'. The first book to be titled 'Mujam al-Sahabah' was written by Abu Ya'li Mosuli (d.[[307]]/ 919). | ||
In writing the books known as 'Mu'jam', at times the content was organised alphabetically according to the first letter of the word, and even the following letters of the word, on other occasions. The latter (all letters of the word being listed based on alphabetical order) became more common during the sixth century onwards . | In writing the books known as 'Mu'jam', at times the content was organised alphabetically according to the first letter of the word, and even the following letters of the word, on other occasions. The latter (all letters of the word being listed based on alphabetical order) became more common during the sixth century onwards . | ||
==Justness of Companions== | ==Justness of Companions== | ||
[[Sunni]] Muslims, all except a small group (whom Ibn Hajr refers to as the '[[Mubtada'ah]]'), are known to hold the belief that the companions were just and righteous individuals . However apparently, it seems that not all Sunni scholars have accepted this view; hence, it is not correct to say that all Sunnis have this belief . | [[Sunni]] Muslims, all except a small group (whom Ibn Hajr refers to as the '[[Mubtada'ah]]'), are known to hold the belief that the companions were just and righteous individuals . However apparently, it seems that not all Sunni scholars have accepted this view; hence, it is not correct to say that all Sunnis have this belief . | ||
[[Ibn Abi | [[Ibn Abi l-Hadid]], a Sunni [[Mu'tazilite]] scholar, says regarding those who instigated the battle of 'the camel' ([[Jamal]]): | ||
"According to the view of our companions, the Mu' | "According to the view of our companions, the Mu'tazilites, they are all doomed, except [['A'isha]], [[Talha|Ṭalḥah]], and [[Zubayr]]. They are not doomed because they repented from their deeds, and had they not repented, their punishment would have been the hell fire for their insistence in rebellion and treachery (against a rightful leader)". | ||
Regarding the army of [[Sham]] in [[Siffīn]], he says: | Regarding the army of [[Sham]] in [[Siffīn]], he says: | ||
"According to the view of our companions, the Mu' | "According to the view of our companions, the Mu'tazilites believe that, they are all doomed for their insistence in rebellion and treachery (against a rightful leader), and they all died in this state, the leaders and the followers". | ||
Regarding the [[Khawarij]], Ibn Abi | Regarding the [[Khawarij]], Ibn Abi l-Hadīd says: | ||
"According to the view of our companions, the Mu' | "According to the view of our companions, the Mu'tazilites believe that, without any dispute (among the scholars) they are in the hell fire. As a general principle, we the Mu'tazilites, consider every unrighteous and sinful person, who dies in the state of sin and infringement of God's commandments, to be hell bound. And there is no doubt that every rebel and traitor against a rightful [[Imam]] (Imam al-Haqq) is unrighteous and sinful." Verses of the holy Qur'an have also been used to argue for the righteousness and justice of the Sahabah . One particular verse which is often employed, is: | ||
{{ | {{ | ||
centered pull quote|{{center|''' وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ '''}} | centered pull quote|{{center|''' وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ '''}} | ||
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|source= Ch: 9, V: 100 | |source= Ch: 9, V: 100 | ||
}} | }} | ||
This verse however, does not indicate that all of the companions were just and righteous individuals, especially since the holy [[ | This verse however, does not indicate that all of the companions were just and righteous individuals, especially since the holy [[Qur'an]] mentions the unfavourable acts and characteristics of some companions. It mentions that some of them had a sickness in their hearts , that a number of them would act as spies for the hypocrites, the fact that there are unrighteous and sinful individuals among them, and that the [[Prophet (s)]] was averse towards some of them. Therefore, it is not agreeable that God was pleased with such individuals, for He says in the holy Qur'an: | ||
{{ | {{ | ||
centered pull quote|{{center|Indeed Allah will not be pleased with the transgressors'''}} | centered pull quote|{{center|Indeed Allah will not be pleased with the transgressors'''}} | ||
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}} | }} | ||
Secondly, their excellence over others, and God being pleased with them is conditional to them believing and | Secondly, their excellence over others, and God being pleased with them is conditional to them believing and practicing good deeds, the reason being that the praise of the believers in this verse comes after condemning the hypocrites for their disbelief and evil works. Furthermore, in the other instances where God praises the believers, it is always done so while being conditional to them having faith and doing good deeds. If this were not the case, it would be a direct opposition of the clear message of verse ninety-six in Surah al-Tawba (repentance), where God states his displeasure with the transgressors. It also goes against verse one-hundred and twenty-three of surah Nisa, in which God states '…whoever commits evil, shall be requited for it…', and many other verses of the Qur'an. | ||
Another verse that has been used to establish that the companions of the Prophet (s) were all righteous and just is: | Another verse that has been used to establish that the companions of the Prophet (s) were all righteous and just is: | ||
{{ | {{ | ||
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The Shias believe that the companions of the [[Prophet (s)]] are just like all other people, and the justice or veracity of an individual cannot be established purely based on them being one of the Sahabah . | The Shias believe that the companions of the [[Prophet (s)]] are just like all other people, and the justice or veracity of an individual cannot be established purely based on them being one of the Sahabah . | ||
Considering that the number of Sahabah has been recorded as one-hundred and fourteen-thousand, it is ordinarily impossible for such a large number of individuals to reach the acclaimed level of piety, by abstaining from any major sins and not repeating any minor sins, with only a meeting with the Prophet (s) and believing in him. This is also given the fact that different individuals had different reasons for accepting Islam; some chose freely to convert, while others converted out of fear and pressure, a group still out of their own interests or because they received motivations to do so . | Considering that the number of Sahabah has been recorded as one-hundred and fourteen-thousand, it is ordinarily impossible for such a large number of individuals to reach the acclaimed level of piety, by abstaining from any major sins and not repeating any minor sins, with only a meeting with the Prophet (s) and believing in him. This is also given the fact that different individuals had different reasons for accepting Islam; some chose freely to convert, while others converted out of fear and pressure, a group still out of their own interests or because they received motivations to do so . | ||
The apostasy of companions such as [[ | The apostasy of companions such as [['Abd Allah b. Jahsh]],[[ 'Ubayd Allah b. Khatl]], [[Rabi'ah b. Umayyah]], and [[Ash'ath b. Qays]], also disproves the theory that being a companion keeps one away from sin. | ||
Lastly, some of actions of the companions are incompatible with the quality of being just and righteous. History is replete with examples of: | Lastly, some of actions of the companions are incompatible with the quality of being just and righteous. History is replete with examples of: | ||
* Companions going to war with a righteous Imam | * Companions going to war with a righteous Imam | ||
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* Starting wars between Muslims | * Starting wars between Muslims | ||
* Sowing sedition and discord among the muslim society while having an insatiable thirst for power. | * Sowing sedition and discord among the muslim society while having an insatiable thirst for power. | ||
As an example, the | As an example, the behavior of [[Marwan b. Hakam]] during the time of [['Uthman b. 'Affan|'Uthman]] is very famous. Also the problematic actions of [[Busr b. Artah]], [[Mughayra b. Shu'ba]], and [[Walid b. 'Uqba]], who were all apparently from Sahabah . | ||
In the view of the [[ | In the view of the [[Shi'a]]s, the best of the Prophet's (s) companions were [[Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] and his two sons, [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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[[ar:الصحابة]] | [[ar:الصحابة]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Sahaba]] | ||
[[Category:Prophet Muhammad (s)]] | [[Category:Prophet Muhammad (s)]] | ||