The Ruling on Disrespecting the Companions ﷺ – A Serious Warning in Islam

The High Status of the Companions in Islam and Ruling on Disrespecting the Companions ﷺ

The Companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, known as the Sahabah, held a unique and elevated status in Islam. They were chosen by Allah ﷻ to support, accompany, and transmit the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ to future generations. Through them, the Qur’an was preserved, and the Sunnah was recorded.

Hadith Highlighting the Sahabah’s Excellence

Their faith, sincerity, and sacrifice helped spread Islam across continents. Disrespecting the Sahabah undermines the very foundations of Islamic tradition and scholarship.

• There are many ahaadeeth that describe the great merits of the Companions.
• The Prophet ﷺ sternly warned people not to curse them, abuse them or make fun of them.
• There is a clear hadeeth that describes how the presence of the Companions & is a source of security for the Muslim Ummah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his head towards heaven as he always used to do and said,

النجوم أمنة للسماء فإذا ذهبت النجوم أتى السماء ما توعد ، وأنا أمنة لأصحابي فإذا ذهبت أتى أصحابي ما يوعدون ، وأصحابي أمنة لأمتي فإذا ذهب أصحابي أتى أمتي ما يوعدون (مسلم)

“The stars are a source of security for the sky. And when the stars go, what has been promised will come to the sky. And I am a source of security to my Companions. And when I go, what has been promised will come to the Companions. And my Companions are a source of security for my Ummah. And when my Companions go, what has been promised will come to my Ummah.” (Muslim)

• What has been promised for the Ummah after the Companions is bid’ah and the division of the Ummah into sects. This hadeeth points to the fact that the existence Companions protected the religion of Islam, held the people together and prevented any bid’ah from being introduced into the religion.
• This hadeeth proves that the Companions must be respected and loved. In no way should they be disrespected, abused or made fun of. This is because all the Muslims coming after the Companions learned the religion from them.
• Disrespecting the Companions is equal to hating those who Allah ﷻ trusted to record the Qur’aan and transmit ahaadeeth. Disrespecting the companions is also a sign of disregarding and rejecting the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ .
• The pious predecessors never disrespected the Companions. In fact, they always praised them.
• Examples of pious predecessor praising the Companions are Imaam Aboo Dawood and Imaam Maalik.
• Aboo Dawood said that the Companions & had sincere intentions and did righteous deeds. All those who looked at them liked their appearance and conduct.
• Imaam Maalik was told that those Christians who saw the Companions in Ash-Shaam commented that they were better than the Disciples of ‘Eesaa
• The Companions were mentioned in an honorable way in the previously revealed Divine Books as the best and most honored members of the Muslim Ummah. Allah ﷻ mentions how He has prepared a great reward for them because of the high level they reached in Islam.
• However, there are many ahaadeeth that mention the great merit of the Sahaabah. In both Saheeh al-Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim, there are chapters written about the excellence of these and other Companions. The following is a hadeeth that mentions who the Prophet ﷺ loved the most. ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas said:

What the Prophet ﷺ Said About Loving the Companions

In a famous narration found in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ was asked whom he loved most. He answered:

«فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ قَالَ أَبُوهَا قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَن قَالَ عُمَرُ فَعَدُ رِجَالًا، (البخاري ومسلم)

I came to him (the Prophet ﷺ) and said: “Who is the most beloved person to you?” He said, “Aa’ishah.” I asked, “Among the men?” He said, “Her father.” I said, “Then who?” He said, “Then ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab.” He then named other men. (al-Bukhaari & Muslim)

• This hadeeth shows how dear ‘Aa’ishah, her father Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab were to the Prophet ﷺ . He loved them more than any other person on the face of the earth.
• If people claim to be true in their love of the Prophet ﷺ , then they should also love the Com- panions. Allah ﷻ used the Companions to preserve the religion of Islam. Hating them goes against all the teachings in the Qur’aan and the authentic sunnah of the Prophet.

Views of the Pious Predecessors on the Sahabah

Early scholars like Imam Malik and Abu Dawood honored the Sahabah with utmost respect. Imam Malik cited Christian observers in Ash-Shaam who regarded the Sahabah as nobler than the disciples of Jesus (peace be upon him).

Abu Dawood described them as people of integrity, humility, and righteous conduct—those who impressed anyone who laid eyes on them.

Consequences of Insulting the Companions

When someone disrespects the Sahabah:

• They cast doubt on the Qur’an, since it was transmitted by them.
• They challenge the authenticity of hadith, as these were preserved through their chains.
• They risk falling into misguidance, since the Prophet ﷺ warned that hatred for the Sahabah is a sign of hypocrisy and innovation.

Historically, such disrespect has led to division within the Ummah, deviation from the Sunnah, and widespread spiritual harm.

Why Every Muslim Must Love and Respect the Sahabah

Loving the Sahabah is not optional—it is a part of our Imaan (faith). The Qur’an praises them in multiple places, and Allah promises them forgiveness and great reward. As Allah ﷻ says:

“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct—Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:100)

To truly love the Prophet ﷺ means to love those who stood by him, fought for the truth, and helped spread the light of Islam.

Learning from the Legacy of the Companions

• The Sahabah were the best generation of Muslims.
• Their presence was a shield against division and misguidance.
• Disrespecting the Companions is forbidden and spiritually dangerous.
• Muslims should always honor and emulate their conduct.

Conclusion: Follow the Sunnah, Honor the Sahabah

To disrespect the Companions is to deviate from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the righteous predecessors. Every true Muslim must love, respect, and honor the Sahabah, who laid the foundations of the faith we practice today.

📌 Frequently Asked Questions

Learning from the lesson

• The Companions enjoyed a great status in Islam.
• It is forbidden to disrespect the Companions.