The merits of following the Companions and some examples of people who followed them.
Ulama Institute #1
Looking to learn Arabic or memorize the Quran?
Check our Trusted Teachers
- The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ made great efforts in the path of spreading Islam. They knew the importance, virtue and significance of da’wah.
- They understood the importance of continuing the mission of the Prophet after his death. They wrote down the Qur’aan many ahaadeeth of the Prophet. The Companions acted upon orders of the Prophet and avoided the things that were haraam. The Companions did this because Allah ﷻ told them:
وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ (سورة الحشر: ٧) ۚ
And whatever the Messenger has given you take; and what he has forbidden you refrain from. (Al-Hashr:7)
- The people who followed the Companions are referred to as the ‘Taabi’een’. A Taabi’ee can be defined as such a person who met, saw or heard any of Companions while being in the state of Iman and passed away in the same condition (with Iman). The Taabi’een thus, did not meet the Prophet, but heard or saw the Companions and died as Muslims.
- The Taabi’een were taught the religion by the Companions and knew that if they followed the Companions then, in fact, they were following the Prophet ﷺ .
- They also engaged in da’wah and passed on the ahaadeeth to those who followed them.
- Those who followed the Taabi’een did the same as their teachers and so the trend continued until the present day.
- There are many examples of Taabi’een and of those who followed them that showcase the great achievements and sacrifices they made for the sake of Allahﷻ . The following are just a few examples:
Taariq ibn Ziyaad
Taariq ibn Ziyaad was born in North Africa. He showed a lot of enthusiasm for spreading Islam and was appointed Governor of Tangier. Taariq ibn Ziyaad was chosen to lead 7000 men to conquer the Visigothic Kingdom. When the Muslim army landed on the island of Gibraltar (Jabal Taariq – Mount Taariq), Taariq and his men fought the Spanish. While the entire Spanish army prepared to fight Taariq and his men, Muslim reinforcements arrived. Twelve thousand Muslim forces were attacked by a non-Muslim army which consisted of one hundred thousand men. Fearing only Allah ﷻ , the Muslims were victorious and soon Spain belonged to the Muslims. The Muslims went on to rule Spain for over 700 years and some of the major cities under their control were Toledo, Cordova, Granada and Seville. All this happened because Taariq ibn Ziyaad was keen to follow the example set by the Companions Taariq ibn Ziyaad died in the year 98 A.H. (716 C.E.).
Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez
Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez was born in 62 A.H. (681 C.E.). He was selected as the Khaleefah by his predecessor, Sulaymaan ibn ‘Abdul-Maalik, in 99 A.H. (717 C.E.) who saw him as the most suitable person for the position. Many scholars have classified him as one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (al-Khulafaa’ ar-Raashidoon). This is especially because of his firm position against injustice and tyranny. In fact during his lifetime he tried f revive the teachings of the early khulafaa’ (caliphs), who acted purely on the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ .
The similarities to the administrations of the early khulafaa’ began to surface again, reminding the Muslims of these great times. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez died in the service of Islam on the 25th of Rajab 101 A.H. (720 C.E.).
Kareemah al-Marwaziyyah
Throughout history, there have been many great women in Islam. These women lived according to the Sharee’ah and their lives revolved around Islam. One great scholar of hadeeth was Kareemah Al-Marwaziyyah who died in 463 A.H. (1070 CE). She was considered the authority on Saheeh of Al-Bukhaari. Abu Dhar, a leading scholar at that time, told his students to study Al-Bukhaari under no one else except her. She had many students who became Islamic scholars themselves. Amongst them were Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi and Al-Humaydi. Kareemah Al-Marwaziyyah followed the example of the female Companions and the female Islamic schol- ars. She observed the modesty of women and, at the same time, preserved the ahaadeeth of the Prophet.
These three examples show how people born after the time of the Prophet ﷺ example of the Companions. They made many sacrifices in order to spread Islam, giving up many of the worldly pleasures. All this was done only for the sake of Allah.
Learning from the lesson
- Following the Companions means to follow the Prophet ﷺ .
- Those who came after the Sahaabah are known as the Taabi’een.
- There are many examples of efforts and sacrifices of the Taabi’een.
“Discussion:”
- Proofs from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah descriibng the excellence of the Companions. The reasons why it is important to follow the Companions
