Disciples

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# Sahabah

Views of the companions

The two largest Islamic denominations, the Sunni and Shi'a, take very different approaches in weighing the value of the companions' testimony.

Sunni views

According to Sunni scholars, Muslims of the past should be considered companions if they had any contact with Muhammad, and they were not liars or opposed to him and his teachings. If they saw him, heard him, or were in his presence even briefly, they are companions. Blind people are considered companions even if they could not see Muhammad. Even unlearned Muslims are considered companions. However, anyone who died after rejecting Islam and becoming an apostate is not considered a companion. "Whom God is pleased with" (radiyu l-Lahu anhu) is usually mentioned by Sunnis after the names of the Sahaba.

Regard for the companions is evident from the ahadith:

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ud that Muhammad said: "The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them."
Sunni Muslim scholars classified companions into many categories, based on a number of criteria. The hadith quoted above shows the rank of Sahabah, tabiin, and tabi at-tabiin. Al-Suyuti recognized eleven levels of companionship. However, all companions are assumed to be just (udul) unless they are proven otherwise; that is, Sunni scholars do not believe that companions would lie or fabricate hadith unless they were proven to be liars, untrustworthy or opposed to Islam.

Shi'a views

Shi'a Muslims do not accept all companions as just. The Shi'a believe that after the death of Muhammad, the majority of the sahabah turned aside from true Islam and deviated from Muhammad's family, instead electing the caliph by themselves. Although some of the sahabah repented later, only a few of the early Muslims held fast to Ali, whom Shi'a Muslims regard as the rightful successor to Muhammad. Shi'a scholars therefore deprecate hadith believed to have been transmitted through unjust companions, and place much more reliance on hadith believed to have been related by Muhammad's family members and companions who supported Ali.

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# Sunni view of the Sahaba

In Sunni doctrine a Sahaba is a person who accompanied Muhammad and died as a Muslim (to differentiate them from Murtads).

Sahaba in the Qur'an

Apart from the prophetic Sunnah, Sunnis also derive proof of the uprightness of the Sahaba from the Qur'an. Since all Muslims believe in the authenticity of the Qur'an, as opposed to different hadith collections between the Sunni and Shia and as a result different constructed views about the Sahaba, Sunnis use the Qur'an as an undeniable proof that the Sahaba were upright. Sunnis believe that all the references to the uprightness of the Sahaba (mentioned in the Qur'an) are so obvious and straight-forward (considering they are taken in context) that they do not require much elucidation. The following verses (among others) from different Qur'anic chapters are used to prove the uprightness of the Sahaba:

The Qur'an, chapter 3 (Aale Imran), verse 103:
And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it...

The Qur'an, chapter 8 (Al-Anfal), verse 72:
Those who believed, and adopted exile, and fought for the Faith, with their property and their persons, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) friends and protectors, one of another. As to those who believed but came not into exile...

The Qur'an, chapter 8 (Al-Anfal), verse 74 to 75:
Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous. And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,- they are of you...

The Qur'an, chapter 9 (At-Tawba), verse 40:
If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion;1 they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear, for Allah is with us"...

The Qur'an, chapter 9 (At-Tawba), verse 100:
The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity.

The Qur'an, chapter 9 (At-Tawba), verse 117 to 118:
Allah turned with favour to the Prophet, the Muhajirs, and the Ansar,- who followed him in a time of distress, after that the hearts of a part of them had nearly swerved (from duty); but He turned to them (also): for He is unto them Most Kind, Most Merciful. (He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind; (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them,- and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

The Qur'an, chapter 24 (An-Noor), verse 11 to 20:
Those who brought forward the lie are a body among yourselves: think it not to be an evil to you; On the contrary it is good for you: to every man among them (will come the punishment) of the sin that he earned, and to him who took on himself the lead among them, will be a penalty grievous. Why did not the believers - men and women - when ye heard of the affair,- put the best construction on it in their own minds and say, "This (charge) is an obvious lie"? Why did they not bring four witnesses to prove it? When they have not brought the witnesses, such men, in the sight of Allah, (stand forth) themselves as liars! Behold, ye received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things of which ye had no knowledge; and ye thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah. And why did ye not, when ye heard it, say? - "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah! this is a most serious slander!" Allah doth admonish you, that ye may never repeat such (conduct), if ye are (true) Believers. Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you, and that Allah is full of kindness and mercy, (ye would be ruined indeed).

The Qur'an, chapter 33 (Al-Ahzab), verse 6:
The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers...

The Qur'an, chapter 33 (Al-Ahzab), verse 32 to 33:
O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.

The Qur'an, chapter 33 (Al-Ahzab), verse 53:
... Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an enormity.

The Qur'an, chapter 48 (Al-Fath), verse 18 to 21:
Allah's Good Pleasure was on the Believers when they swore Fealty to thee under the Tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down Tranquillity to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy Victory; And many gains will they acquire (besides): ... Allah has promised you many gains that ye shall acquire, and He has given you these beforehand; and He has restrained the hands of men from you; that it may be a Sign for the Believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path; And other gains (there are), which are not within your power, but which Allah has compassed...

The Qur'an, chapter 48 (Al-Fath), verse 29:
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.

The Qur'an, chapter 57 (Al-Hadid), verse 10:
... Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised a goodly (reward)...

The Qur'an, chapter 59 (Al-Hashr), verse 8 to 10:
(Some part is due) to the indigent Muhajirs, those who were expelled from their homes and their property, while seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure, and aiding Allah and His Messenger: such are indeed the sincere ones:- But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith,- show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity. And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancour (or sense of injury) against those who have believed. Our Lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful."

The Qur'an, chapter 60 (Al-Mumtahina), verse 1:
O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! ...

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# Shi'a view of the Sahaba

Ahl al-Bayt

Sunni accept the testimony of nearly all Sahaba as an authenticated part of the chain of narrators in a hadith. They believe that all the Sahaba who just saw Muhammad or were with him were righteous and to be trusted in narrating Hadith .Shia don't accept that. They argue that not all the Sahaba were righteous, just because they saw or were with Muhammad. As evidence they quote the Quran Surah 9 Verse 101, were it states that there are hypocrites in the city of Medina around Muhammad but no one knows them but God. Shias further argue that after Muhammads demise there righteousness of Sahaba can be seen from loyalty towards Ahl al-Bayt, Muhammads family. Also Shias accept Hadith from the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt. This is due to that Shia believes them to be thoroughly cleansed from all sin, as described in the Quran Surah 33 Verse 33 and the hadith of the Cloak

Sahaba

Regarding the other parts of chain of narration, all people are up to be scrutinized. There is no distinction made between a Sahaba and a taba'een or anyone else regarding trustworthiness, everyone have the same demand to prove or disprove their trustworthiness. Therefore, Shia look at each Sahaba as an individual, preferring some above others.

Shia do not have a ranking system dependent on when the Sahabi embraced Islam, because they argue that this does not matter for one's faith at all. Rather, they have an individual view of each one, according to what they did during their life. For example, if Sahaba made Muhammad angry or questioned his decision several times then he is viewed as unrealiable. Furthermore a Sahaba who engaged in open warfare against the Ahl al-Bayt have their trustworthiness reduced to near nothing in the Shia view. In fact, under the doctrine of Tabarra, it is obligatory to disassociate from such a person.

Shias consider that any hadith where Muhammad is claimed to have, in one way or another, absolved all Sahaba from sin or elevated their trustworthiness is false. Shias claim that, in most cases, such hadiths have been reported by those who opposed the Ahl al-Bayt.

On the other hand, the Sahaba that are agreed to have sacrificed life and property for the sake of Muhammad are held in a very positive view, and under the doctrine of Tawalla, it is obligatory to love such a person.

Merit for seeing Muhammad

Shias have different views on each Sahabi, depending on what he or she accomplished. In the Shia view, some Sahaba lived lives contrary to Islamic teaching. Shias support their arguments using verses from the Qur'an, in particular, in relation to Muhammad's wives:

[66.10] Gsets forth an example to those who disbelieve: the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut: they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the fire with those who enter.

Shias also support their view by citing the following verses addressing Muhammad's wives:

[33.30] O wives of the prophet! whoever of you commits an open indecency, the punishment shall be increased to her doubly; and this is easy to Allah.

[33.31] And whoever of you is obedient to Allah and His Apostle and does good, We will give to her her reward doubly, and We have prepared for her an honorable sustenance.

In other words, a wife of the prophet who "commits an open indecency" will be twice as blameworthy, because she was in the presence of God's best creation, Muhammad, and thus should have been inspired to act justly. Also, a wife who "is obedient to God and His Messenger and does good" is considered twice as admirable, because she received Muhammad's direct guidance and aided him and his Ahl al-Bayt.

[9.101] And from among those who are round about you of the dwellers of the desert there are hypocrites, and from among the people of Medina (also); they are stubborn in hypocrisy; you do not know them; We know them; We will chastise them twice then shall they be turned back to a grievous chastisement.

Detailed list

There is no standardized guideline of status according to the Shia school of thought; a Shia consensus can not established regarding a detailed list based on rank.

However there is a general consensus on an approximate view of each Sahaba, in the same way that most people would think very badly of Adolf Hitler and Ted Bundy and very well of Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus.

It would be impossible to establish a list showing the approximate view of each Sahaba for all the people in the world, since most people have very different frames of preference. However, it is much easier to do so if the targeted group have a similar frame of preference.

Most Shias have the same frame of preference regarding the relevant issues, since most disagreements between the Shi'as sects start after Husayn ibn Ali's era. This, and all sects being minority to the twelvers, explains why almost all Shi'a have a very similar frame of preference regarding the Sahaba, making this list relevant and accurate in the field of Social sciences rather than Hard science.

Shi'as can in general be expected to have a certain view on each Sahaba after having understood what relevant actions the specific Sahaba have accomplished during his or her life.

This is in contrast to Sunnis. Egyptian and Saudi Arabian scholars have in general different views on, for example, Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan, one more favorable and the other more dim, however, both are within the Sunni doctrines that claim the uprightness of all Sahaba and go to heaven.

The list of the Shia view of the Sahaba

The list of Sahaba includes events that are relevant for establishing a view, ranked accordingly to their general perceived status.

The Ahl ul-Bayt are not included in this list, since the list revolves around them.

Believers

Shi'a regarded these people as partisians of Ali and defenders of the Ahl al-Bayt, people that fully embraced the deepest concepts of Islam.

Jafar ibn Abu Talib Ali's brother.

Abdullah ibn Ja'far Zainab bint Ali's husband.

Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib An uncle of Muhammad

Obaidah ibn al-Harith was the first Muslim to be killed in battle. He was a cousin of Muhammad and Ali, and he was the first Martyr of the Battle of Badr.

Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib is in contrast to Sunnis considered Muslim by Shias, arguing that Ali inherited him which would be forbidden if he where an unbeliever.

Aminah bint Wahab was the mother of Muhammad and an aunt of Ali, she died before Muhammad's call to Islam

Fatima bint Asad Aunt of Muhammad and the mother of Ali

Fatima bint Hizam married Ali and gave him four sons that were martyred at the Battle of Karbala, not to be confused with Ali's first wife Fatima bint Muhammad

Salman the Persian gave Muhammad the idea to dig the trench. He, like the other, did not supposedly give allegiance to Abu Bakr

Abu Dharr al-Ghifari Jundub ibn Junadah ibn Sakan (Arabic جُندب بن جَنادة), better known as Abu Dharr, Abu Dharr al-Ghafari, or Abu Tharr Al-Ghefari (Arabic أبو ذر الغفاري) was an early convert to Islam.

Bilal ibn Ribah is called by Muhammed as "the most truthful man between heaven and earth".

Abdullah ibn Abbas was a staunch follower of Ali. Did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr, until Ali supposedly did so. Accompanied Ali when he demanded his inheritance from Umar and sought very badly of Umar and Abu Bakr. Convinced 20'000 of the 24'000 Khawarij to return to Ali.[1].

Malik ibn Ashter was Ali's general when he came close to killing Muawiya, then became his governor, has long and beautiful letter addressed to him in [[Nahj ul-Balagha]Letter No.53] in which Ali gives guidance in how to uphold a government. That letter was referred to in the United Nations as an advice to Arabs.

Ammar ibn Yasir was killed by Muawiyas army in the Battle of Siffin when he was 90 years old, as predicted by Muhammad.

Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib an uncle of Muhammad an Ali, had his body desecrated in the battle of Uhud by Hind binte Utbah

Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr was Abu Bakr's son and a great companion of Ali. He was chosen to govern Egypt.

Umm Kulthum bint Ali daughter of Ali and Fatimah, was taken to Yazids palace after the Battle of Karbala.

Zaynab bint Ali eldest daughter of Ali and Fatimah was taken to Yazids palace after the Battle of Karbala.

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt was a great role model in life.

Akib ibn Usaid was the first governor of Makkah.

Aqeel ibn Abi Talib a brother of Ali and cousin of Muhammad

Talib ibn Abi Talib a brother of Ali and cousin of Muhammad

Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib an uncle of Muhammad and Ali

Asma bint Umais a widow of Abu Bakr, who later married Ali

Miqdad ibn al-Aswad al-Kindi

Zaid ibn Arqam Sa'ad ibn Mu'adh

'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr

Zaid mawla Muhammad was the freed slave of Muhammad and the father of Usama ibn Zaid.

Usama ibn Zaid

Ubaidullah bin Abdullah retold the event of the pen and paper as he heard from Ibn Abbas.

Lubaynah accepted Islam

Fazl ibn Abbas A cousin of Muhammad and Ali, he did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Khalid ibn Sa'id ibn al-As He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Buraida Aslami He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Ubai ibn Ka'b He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr. (He is the one who based on authentic Sunni sources the Prophet ordered the companions to trust him in the matter of Quran as one of the three trustee persons in this regard. See Sahih al-Bukhari, English, vol. 6, Tradition #521)

Khuzaima ibn Thabit Dhu'sh-Shahadatain He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Abu'l-Hathama Bin Tihan He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Sahl ibn Hunaif He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Uthman ibn Hunaif Dhu'sh-Shahadatain He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Abu Ayub Ansari He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Hudhaifa ibn Yaman He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Sa'd ibn Ubaida He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Qais ibn Sa'd He did not give allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Malik ibn Nuwayra

Arwa bint Abd al-Muttalib was one of the meritorious women.

Mus`ab ibn `Umair

Bilal ibn al-Harith

Amr ibn Jamooh died in the Battle of Uhud while defending the Prophet of Islam

Yasir ibn Amir, father of Ammar ibn Yasir

Sumayyah bint Khabbab, mother of Ammar ibn Yasir, also the first martyr of Islam

Anas ibn al-Nadr died in the battle of Uhud

Abu Dujana defended Muhamamd in the battle of Uhud

Kumayl ibn Ziyad companion of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Dua Kumayl is named after him

Ouwais al Qarniy Abu Ayyub al-Ansari

Not sincere

Shi'a regarded this group as people who where not truly sincere in following Islam[1]

Abdullah ibn Zubayr argued with ibn Abbas for the legitimacy of the ban against temporary marriage, fought Yazid for the Caliphat.

Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf demanded that Ali was to follow the Quran, the way of Muhammad and also the way of Umar and Abu Bakr in order to be the third Caliph.

Um Ruman was Abu Bakr's wife

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah

Said ibn Zayd

Al-Nuayman ibn Amr Took part in the Battles of Badr and Uhud. Got caught drinking alcohol twice. Was known in Medina as a joker who used to make the Muslims laugh a lot

Hypocrites

Shi'a regarded this group as people who either apostated from Islam or people who did not accepted the doctrines of Islam in the first place, but managed to infiltrate the Muslim ranks through outwardly stating Islam.

Anas ibn Malik was famous for his disillusionment towards Ali

Abdullah ibn Umar contradicted his father regarding temporary marriage and also other of his misunderstandings, did not give oath of allegiance to Ali.

Abu Huraira Abu Sufyan ibn Harb for he was Muhammads arch enemy and Muawiya's father.

Abd-Allah ibn Aamir Hadhrami was assigned as governor by Uthman.

Ziyad ibn Abu Sufyan father of Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, the man that killed Muslim ibn Aqeel

Amr ibn al-As aided Muawiya during the Battle of Siffin and on his order poisoned Malik ibn Ashter.

Hind bint Utbah was Abu Sufiyan ibn Harb wife and Muawiya's mother. She desecrated the body of Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib in the battle of Uhud.

Abu Bakr ibn abu Qahafa with Umars help supposedly he usurped Ali's caliphate and He made Khalid ibn Walid his general.

Umar ibn al-Khattab Regarded as an unholy and ignorant usurper and illegitimate leader, and according to shia he killed Fatima bintu Muhammad; see his main Wikipedia entry for partial further details of the Shia view (and the sharply contrasting Sunni view).

Uthman ibn Affan is a from the family of Ummayad. He allowed Muawiyah to expand his power in Syria.

Khalid ibn al-Walid he is believed to have forced Imam Ali (as) to give bayah to Abu Bakr.

Muaviya ibn Abu Sufyan cursed Imam Ali, deceived the shia during the arbitration after Siffin, caused further division among the Muslims, had non Muslim advisers, and is responsible for poisoning Imam Hassan.

Marwan ibn al-Hakam cursed and oppressed the Ahlul Bayt, prevented the 2nd imam from being buried beside his grandfather, and usurped leadership after Muawiyah bin Yazid killed his commander Talha.

Talha Fought against Ali in the Battle of Jamal.

Zubayr ibn al-Awwam Fought against Ali in Battle of Jamal alongside Talha and Aishah bint Abu Bakr.

Abdullah ibn Umar son of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, also gave his oath of allegiance to Yazid

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