قال شيخ الإسلام رحمه الله تعالى

“حب الصحابة كلهم لي مذهب، و مودة القربى بها أتوسل”

Shaykhul-Islam says (May Allah have mercy on him):

“Loving all the companions is for me a path, and loving the nearest ones (Ahlul-Bayt) is a means for me of seeking closeness(to Allah)”

This is where the poet begins to clarify his creed, and this is our lesson for the night. And it is the obligation of loving the companions (May Allah be pleased with them).

Firstly who are the companions?

The people of knowledge have clarified that a companion is someone who meets the prophet, whilst believing in him and dies upon that state.

The status of the companions

The companions have a great status with Allah, for verily they are the best of people after the Prophets, and because of this, it is compulsory upon every Muslim that he loves them supports them and defends them. And it is also compulsory that he hates those who bare hatred against them, degrade them and curse them, and Allah’s refuge is sought. From their many virtues is:

• Allah had chosen them to be the companions of the Prophet and his advisers, consultants, protectors, helpers and also be from those that would frequently sit with him, choosing them from a vast selection of people, which shows us their virtues.
• Secondly, they were from those who would listen to the revelation and bear witness to it, and they are from the most knowledgeable people after the prophets in the religion.
• Thirdly, they where firm in times of difficulty and hardship, and for this reason they are mentioned with a great praise in the Quran and Sunnah and those who transgress against (Degrading, cursing or harming) them are heavily prohibited and threatened.

:قول الله سبحانه 

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

And from these proofs is the saying of Allah:

“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah 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”.

وَالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ

Likewise the saying of Allah:

“And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful”.