His eminence Sheikh Osama Bin Abdullah Khayyat ?may Allah protect him?delivered the Friday Khutbah entitled, “The Status of the Companions (RA) in the HolyBook and the Sunnah.” He spoke about the Companions (RA) and showed their merit in the Qur’?n and the Noble Sunnah. He also mentioned Muslim scholars’ consensus about the necessity to love them and be loyal to them, toconsider their enemies as our own enemies, and refrain from iterating their differences or disputes, but rather believe that all of them practiced Ijtihad (considered as a valid sourceof Islamic legislation) and will be rewarded by Allah.

Praise be to Allah Who honoured His loyal worshippers and inspired His creatures to fondly cherish them. I glorify Allah Ta'ala the Supreme, Whose power on His servants is irrevocable and Whose army is the mightiest and most glorious. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship save Allah with no associate; nor is there any spouse or offspring attributable to Him. I equally bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), His servant and Messenger, is the most pious ever and the most open-handed of all creatures in charity. O Allah, send Your perpetual Salat (Graces, Honours and Mercy) and Peace on him, his family, and Companions.  

This being said, fear Allah, O servants of Allah! Worship Him, express gratitude to Him, and turn to Him in repentance. Keep recalling that you are bound to meet Him; therefore, make yourselves ready for such an encounter: "…let not then this (worldly) present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allâh." [Luqman: 33]

O Muslims! There are innumerable and unrestricted aspects of sincere faith and righteous deeds which can be performed by Muslims in pursuit of Allah’s Ta'ala satisfaction and in pious quest of His Prophet’s guidance (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). One of the sweetest fruits of faith and its rewarding impact is when Allah bestows on the genuinely devoted believers the joy of being deeply loved by His creatures who are inspired to consider them as their most cherished ones: "Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger (Muhammad ??? ???? ???? ????)] and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Gracious (Allâh) will bestow love for them (in the hearts of the believers)." [Maryam: 96]

O Servants of Allah! The very essence of people’s cherishing of the truthful believers is embodied in the fact that it is a clear sign of Allah’s love of the latter. This is confirmed by the Hadîth narrated by the two sheikhs (Muslim and Bukhari) in their two Sahih Books (i.e. Books of Authentic Hadîths). Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, ‘Whenever Allah loves one of His devoted servants, He would say to Archangel Gabriel, ‘I do love so-and-so (naming a particular person); so, do love him.’ Thus, Gabriel will love him, and will then send an echoing call in the heavens, saying, ‘Allah loves so-and-so; therefore, do love him.’ Consequently, all the inhabitants of the heavens will love him, and later on the love of all the inhabitants of the earth will be bestowed upon him.’ Conversely, whenever Allah resents a devoted servant of His, he would call Archangel Gabriel to tell him, ‘I resent so-and-so; therefore, do resent him.’ As a result, Gabriel will resent him and will therefore send an echoing call in the heavens, saying, ‘Allah resents so-and-so; therefore, do resent him.’ Subsequently, all the inhabitants of the heavens will resent him, and later on the resentment of such a person will be imparted to all the inhabitants of the earth.” (The wording of the Hadîth is attributed to Imam Muslim).  

This meaning is confirmed by the tabiî (a contemporary of the Companions but not the Prophet’s death) Zaid Bin Aslam Al-Âdawi – may Allah bless his soul – who said, “Whoever observes taqwa vis-à-vis Allah will be loved by people even though they may wish to hate him.” This amounts to saying that you would only find people who love and praise him; and would fail to resent him no matter how hard they tried.  

This is no surprise. It is, indeed, the ultimate recompense of faith and Taqwa (piety) which benefits those who observe them via granting them the privileged status promised by their Lord, for He announced in His Holy Book that the faithful need not fear the horrible scenes on the Day of Resurrection (Doomsday). They will not experience any feeling of sorrow over departing this life and its goods and chattels:

"No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ’ of Allâh [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allâh and fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve."[Yûnus: 62] "Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism), and used to fear Allâh much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds)." [Yûnus: 63]

Allah Ta'ala has equally raised the status of devout believers to a prominent rank that He considers their adversaries asHis own enemies. This is asserted in the Hadîth reported by Imam Bukhari in his Sahihas narrated by Abu Huraira (RA). He reported that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “Allah Ta'ala said: “Whoever enters into inimical relations with one of my divine devotees will be the target of my war…” (Excerpt of the Hadîth). That is to say, Allah will in turn treat the enemy of His devout believers as a war enemy. This is coterminous with saying that the initiator of enmity will be liable to Allah’s irrevocable infliction. According to Muslim scholars, this Hadîth contains a serious threat to those who wage war against Allah, for whomever Allah fights will be destroyed.

Conversely, what istrue of enmity is equally trueof loyalty. By implication, whoever befriends Allah’s devotees will be generously rewarded by Him. The worthiest of our love and loyalty, O servants of Allah, are the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Our love for them is an obligation whereas treating them as enemies must be avoided. They had been selected by Allah to be Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) own Companions. Allah selected them to be the propagators of His religion and the learners (and guardians) of His Book. Allah iteratively expressed His satisfaction with their deeds and praised their devotion, acquitting them of any presumed allegation.

Allah (?) said:  "And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn(those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr(the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." [Al-Tawba: 100]

Allah Ta'ala also said: "Muhammad (??? ???? ???? ????) is the Messenger of Allâh. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allâh and (His) Good Pleasure." [Al-Fat’?: 29]. Allah Ta'ala added: "Indeed, Allâh was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai‘ah(pledge) to you (O Muhammad ??? ???? ???? ????) under the tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down As-Sakînah(calmness and tranquillity) upon them, and He rewarded them with a near victory." [Al-Fat’?: 18]. Allah Ta'ala equally said: "… Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquering (of Makkah, with those among you who did so later). Such are higher in degree than those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all Allâh has promised the best (reward). And Allâh is All-Aware of what you do." [Al- ?adîd: 10]

On his part, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) did prescribe about insults addressed to any of them. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) made it clear that none of the Muslims would ever reach the Companions’ dignified status, no matter how much they would expend of his own fortune. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “Do not insult my Companions; no matter how much any of you might be capable of expending ?say, as much gold as the Ûhud mountain? his donation would never reach the worth of one or even half of the Companions’ half a bushel.” (Reported by both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their respective Sahih Books.)

In the Hadîths narrated by ‘Imran Bin Hušain (RA) and reported by both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their respective Sahih Books, Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “The best of human generations is mine, then the following generation comes next in rank, and then the upcoming generation, and so forth.” Imran said: "I do not know whether he mentioned two or three generations after his own".

Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim further reported in their Sahih Books?via a Hadîth narrated by Abu Saied Al-Khudri (RA)? that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “There will come a time when a crowd of people ?engaged in a ghazwa ? are asked, ‘Is there anyone amongst you who was Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) Companion?’ The crowd will answer, ‘Yes!’ Consequently, they will have access to that location.Then,there will come a time when a crowd of people—engaged in a ghazwa—are asked, ‘Is there anyone amongst you who was Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) Companion?’ The crowd will answer, ‘Yes!’ Consequently, they will have access to that location. Later on, there will come a time when a crowd of people—engaged in a ghazwa—are asked, ‘Is there anyone amongst you who was Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) Companion?’ The crowd will answer, ‘Yes!’ Consequently, they will have access to that location.”

 
The Messenger of Guidance (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)pointed out that loving AlAnsar  is a sign of true faith, while hating them is one of hypocrisy. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “The sign of Belief is to love the Ansar, and the sign of hypocrisy is to hate the Ansar." [Narrated by the two Sheikhs in "their Sahihs"]

Hence, such texts, documented and clear as they are, have always served as valid reference for people of righteousness in determining their position vis-à-vis the Companions of the Best of Mankind (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Imam Tahawi –May Allah Bless his soul– said: "…And we love the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) without discrimination or prejudice against any one of them. We hate whoever hates them and slanders them. We only say good things about them. Loving them is an act of faith, belief and kindness, whereas hating them is heresy, hypocrisy and transgression."

The love of Al Ansar –O servants of Allah– is considered an act of faith, belief and kindness because it represents compliance with the command of Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), and because Al Ansar were an asset to the religion of Allah Ta'ala as they undertook jihad alongside the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) sacrificing their blood, wealth and lives. Therefore, in addition to loving them wholeheartedly, it has been –ever since their time– an obligation on the part of the Muslim Ummah to cherish their Sirah (biography) and to show off its splendour and magnificence as well as its history that was teeming with glory, honour, dignity, and ample instances of exemplary conduct and leadership. Indeed, such obligation dictates abstinence from delving into their disputes or any other forms of misunderstanding that might have occurred between them, and the belief that they are disciples of Ijtihad who are to be rewarded (in the Hereafter) for everything they did in service of the Faith.

May Allah be pleased with them (Al Ansar), and they with Him! May He, the Almighty, grant them, on behalf of Islam and its people, the best of those rewards reserved for the righteous and the true believers among those He has chosen!   

May Allah benefit you and me with the guidance of His book and the Sunnah of His Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)! I say this, and I ask Him,the Almighty and the Exalted, forgiveness for every sin you and I and every other Muslim have ever committed, for He is All-Forgiving!