There is no place in Islaam for those who revile the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum)

There is no place in Islaam for those who revile the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum)

On one occasion, a person came to Hazrat Zainul ‘Aabideen, ‘Ali bin Husain (rahimahullah), and asked,

“O grandson of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! What is your opinion regarding (Hazrat) ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)?”

Noticing the person’s resentment for Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Zainul ‘Aabideen (rahimahullah) addressed him saying:

O brother! In total, there are three groups of the Muslims. These three group are mentioned in the Qur’aan Majeed (the first  group is the Muhaajireen, the second group is the Ansaar and the third group are those people who came later on in the world and followed the Muhaajireen and Ansaar in carrying out righteous actions).

Hazrat Zainul Aabideen then asked the person,

“My brother, are you from the first group of people (the Muhaajireen), whom Allah Ta‘ala speaks highly about in the following verse of the Qur’aan Majeed:

Allah Ta‘ala says:

لِلفُقَراءِ المُهٰجِرينَ الَّذينَ أُخرِجوا مِن دِيارِهِم وَأَموالِهِم يَبتَغونَ فَضلًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضوانًا وَيَنصُرونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسولَهُ أُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الصّٰدِقونَ ‎﴿٨﴾‏

(There is a share of the wealth of Fay) for the poor Muhaajireen who were expelled from their homes and their properties, (who performed hijrah from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah for the sake of) seeking bounty from Allah and (His) pleasure and for supporting (the deen of) Allah and His Messenger. Those are the truthful ones.”

The man replied, “No! I am not from this group (the Muhaajireen!)”

Hazrat Zainul ‘Aabideen (rahimahullah) then asked him:

“If you are not from the first group mentioned in the aayah, then are you from the second group (i.e. the Ansaar) whom Allah Ta‘ala speaks highly about in the following verse:

Allah Ta‘ala says:

وَالَّذينَ تَبَوَّءُو الدّارَ وَالإيمانَ مِن قَبلِهِم يُحِبّونَ مَن هاجَرَ إِلَيهِم وَلا يَجِدونَ فى صُدورِهِم حاجَةً مِمّا أوتوا وَيُؤثِرونَ عَلىٰ أَنفُسِهِم وَلَو كانَ بِهِم خَصاصَةٌ وَمَن يوقَ شُحَّ نَفسِهِ فَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ المُفلِحونَ ‎﴿٩﴾‏

And (there is also a share of the wealth of Fay for) those who established homes in Madinah and brought Imaan before them (before the Muhaajireen came to Madinah). They love those who made hijrah to them (the Muhaajireen), and they do not feel any jealousy in their hearts for the wealth which the Muhaajireen were given, but rather they give them (the Muhaajireen) preference over themselves, even though poverty be their lot. And whoever is protected from the greed of his soul – it is those who are the successful ones.”

The man replied, “No! I am neither from among this group (the Ansaar)!”

Hazrat Zainul ‘Aabideen (rahimahullah) then said to him:

By Allah! (If you are not from the first and second group, then remember that) if you are not from the third group regarding whom Allah Ta‘ala speaks about in the following aayah, then certainly you will be out of the fold of Islam (as you do not belong to any of the three groups of Muslims).

Hazrat Zainul Aabideen Rahimahallah then informed him about the third group saying:

The third group are those regarding whom Allah Ta‘ala speaks about in the following aayah.

Allah Ta‘ala says:

وَالَّذينَ جاءو مِن بَعدِهِم يَقولونَ رَبَّنَا اغفِر لَنا وَلِإِخوانِنَا الَّذينَ سَبَقونا بِالإيمانِ وَلا تَجعَل فى قُلوبِنا غِلًّا لِلَّذينَ اٰمَنوا رَبَّنا إِنَّكَ رَءوفٌ رَحيمٌ ‎﴿١٠﴾‏

And those who came after them (the Muhaajireen and Ansaar) say (while making du‘aa for the Muhaajireen and Ansaar), “Our Rabb! Forgive us, and our brethren who brought Imaan before us, and leave not, in our hearts, any malice for the believers. Our Rabb! You are indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.”

In other words, Hazrat Zainul Aabideen (rahimahullah) explained to the person that if he is not from the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, then in order for him to be a Muslim, he will have to love the Muhaajireen and Ansaar and follow them in Deen.

(Tafseer Qurtubi 18/31)