Chapter 1 – Introduction

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Chapter 1

Introduction

Many verses have been revealed in the Glorious Qur’an in praise of the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum, commending them, illustrating their virtues, explaining their qualities, their lofty status, their exalted position, and what they will receive by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in the Hereafter, as well as what He has promised them in this world. Likewise, there are verses that illustrate that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala selected them from among all of creation to be Companions of His Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his in-laws, supporters, relatives, bearers of His Shari’ah, preachers of His din, and implementers of His commands and prohibitions. Hence, they were the best of nations.

The verses of the Qur’an explicitly mention the perfection of their iman, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala being pleased with them and them being pleased with Him, His acceptance of their repentance and forgiving them, the unity He created between their hearts, and how they became like a single body. The verses mention the good and the success that awaits them, the promise of Jannat and eternity that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala honoured them with, the complete conviction He placed in their hearts, and the tranquillity He bestowed upon them.

Likewise, it mentions the conquests and empowerment He promised them, the descriptions He revealed regarding them in previous scriptures, the assistance from the skies He provided them with to fight alongside them and strengthen their hearts, the special guardianship He bestowed upon them, and the support He gave His Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam through them.

When Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has declared His pleasure with them, would He then be displeased with them? Never, because His promise will never fail.

When Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has informed us of their progress in iman, and that their iman is the true iman and that they are the true believers, then would He inform us of something that is not so? Never, for Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala knows the deception of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.

When Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has informed us of their eternal abode in Jannat, is it possible that they would turn apostate? Never, for Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala does not inform us of anything that is contrary to reality. It is impossible that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala would inform us of their eternal abode in Jannat with complete iman, whilst He knows otherwise regarding them.

What Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has informed us of is the truth, what He says is the truthful reality, and what the Almighty says is certainty and conviction. Anyone who believes contrary to what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has said and informed us of, what He has promised, and what He has asserted, is false. That person must repent, return to his Lord, turn to Him, and seek forgiveness for whatever has occurred in his heart, what his hands have perpetrated, or what his tongue has uttered.

When Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala described the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum, in Qur’an, with attributes of perfection and beauty, that they are the true believers, truthful, victorious, rightly guided, given glad tidings of Jannat, people of piety and forgiveness, companions, and people of mercy—and His words are the manifest truth, and after the truth there is nothing but deviation, would He describe them such when they did not deserve it? Allah forbid! Was Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala forced to do so? Allah forbid! He is way beyond that. Was He bribed to do so? Far be it! Allah forbid! What a grave statement that comes out of the mouths of Allah’s enemies. It is falsehood, forgery, and slander.

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala does whatever He wills and chooses. He will not be questioned about what He does, and no one can reverse His judgment and decree. No one has the ability to reverse His words, judgment, or decree, because He is the Controller of this universe, and He is competent over everything.

Thus, what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has informed us of regarding the virtues, status, merits, and achievements of the Companions of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and what He has praised them for and affirmed regarding them; all of this—while being the absolute truth—provides us with conclusive evidence that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala selected them to be Companions of His Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his in-laws and supporters, and the best Ummah brought forth for mankind.

Verses revealed concerning the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum are of two types: either they were revealed about them in general, or they were revealed concerning individuals among them, and this is established by the circumstances for their revelation.

Whatever praise and descriptions of this Ummah have been revealed, the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum are primarily included in it.

I have read the Qur’an several times, and I have collected many verses that mention the Companions. I have also read what the authors of asbab al nuzul (circumstances for revelation) have mentioned; however, I believe that they have missed a lot. Similarly, I have read most of the books of tafsir (commentary of the Qur’an)—but I believe I have missed a lot. I will not, however, mention every verse that was revealed regarding their virtues, achievements, and merits. I will suffice on eighty texts. I do not mean verses, as there may be several verses in one text regarding what was mentioned about them. A little indicates to a lot. If a single verse was mentioned about them, it would be enough to be proud of them, so how about when a large number of verses were mentioned regarding them, which contain their praise and commendation, illustration of their merits, their high status, what awaits them by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in the Hereafter, what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala had promised them in this world, that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala selected them from all of creation to be Companions of His Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his in-laws, supporters, and relatives, and to be the best of Ummah. This is because the object is to highlight their virtues, their lofty status, their noble qualities, the praise of their Lord subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, His pleasure with them, and His commendations for them.

This is for Muslims to realise that the word of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is the truth, so they may follow it. This will increase their conviction in the merits of these righteous people, and in the affirmation of the scholars of this Ummah—former and latter—being the truth, and that they followed the words of Allah and the words of His Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Anything other than this is falsehood, clear deviance, following the accursed Shaitan, and following the enemies of Islam from beyond the bounds. Therefore, no attention will be given to anyone who croaks like a self-destructing crow. May Allah protect us.

The method I followed in this chapter:

• I mention the verses, after assigning titles to them which are derived from the verses.
• I arranged the verses according to the sequence of the Qur’an, whether general or specific.
• I may mention the circumstances for the revelation, depending on the clarity or obscurity of the meaning.
• I mention a brief meaning for the verses, taken from various books of tafsir, but I present it in my own words. Therefore, all the books of tafsir will be considered as sources of that meaning.
• I mention the benefits derived from these verses that illustrate the status and position of the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum. I will not elaborate on this at length, focusing on Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala testimony to their faith, piety, and status, and His notification of what awaits them on the Day of Qiyamah.
• I mention some other verses or ahadith for further clarification.

May peace and salutations of Allah be upon our master, beloved, and intercessor, Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and upon his fortunate and pure family, his honourable and revered Companions, and upon those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Qiyamah. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

NEXT⇒ Verses of the Glorious Qur’an in Praise of the Companions – Verses 1 – 10