Shias and The Companions

There is a general view amongst the sunnis that Shias hate Asahab e Muhammad. This is not true. Although there is another article lined up for the issue, i would touch the point. My name is Ammar, named after the brave companion, Ammar Yasir. We love men like Salman Farsi, Abu Dhar Ghaffari, Miqdad, Owais Qerni, Ammar Yasir. Were these not the companions of Prophet (SAW)? Yes, there were conflicts amongst the companions of Prophet (SAW). There were disputes between the Sahabas and the family of Prophet (SAW). The only sin shias do is to support the people of the house of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Coming to the point. I always wonder if all companions were good and infallible? I wonder for whom was sura-e-munafiqeen revealed? The Shia do not have a unique opinion towards the companions of the Prophet. Based on the relative authenticity and interpretations of the transmitted traditions, some arrive at different conclusions for the second faction of the companions mentioned below. Which tradition is more authentic and what is its correct meaning, is something debatable. However, here, I provide what is considered to be a typical Shi'ite position in this regard.

The Shia divide the companions into three factions: First, are those who believed in Allah (SWT), believed in the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and gave all they could for the sake of Islam. These are the highest in rank. These companions ALWAYS supported the Prophet and were WITH him. They never disobeyed him in every other issue, nor did they ever accused him of talking non-sense! (may Allah protect us). Examples include, but are not limited to, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS), Abu Dhar al-Ghifari, Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad, Amar Ibn Yasir, Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari, ... may Allah (SWT) be pleased with them.

The second group, are those who were Muslims, but were not sincere in their acts.

The third group, are those who became apostate after the death of Prophet as al-Bukhari recorded (see below), or those who neither believed in Allah (SWT), nor the Prophet (PBUH&HF) in the first place, but managed to infiltrate the Islamic isles to be included among the Muslims. These are the hypocrites, like Abu Sufyan, his son Muawiyah, and his grandson Yazid.

Yazid, when he became caliph, said: "Hashimite played with the throne, but no revelation was revealed, nor was there a true message!!!"
History of al-Tabari, Arabic, 13, p2174
Tadhkirat al-Khawas, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, p261

"Hashimite" is the clan and tribe of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and this is an intentional pun suggesting that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was a liar, not a true prophet. The "throne (sovereignty)" is an allusion to the control of the affairs of Mecca and the entire region, meaning that the tribe of Hashim controlled the entire region by virtue of the Message of Islam and that Muhammad (PBUH&HF) is the chosen Prophet, but really there was no revelation and there was no message!!! That is Yazid's opinion of Allah (SWT), Islam, and the Prophet (PBUH&HF). His father, Muawiyah, and his grandfather, Abu Sufyan, were no better. At the beginning the reign of Uthman when Umayad occupied the prominent positions, Abu Sufayn said: "O Children of Umayyah! Now that this kingdom has come to you, play with it as the children play with a ball, and pass it from one to another in your clan. We are not sure whether there is a paradise or hell, but this kingdom is a reality."
al-Isti'ab, by Ibn Abd al-Barr, v4, p1679

Then Abu Syfyan went to Uhud and kicked at the grave of Hamza (the uncle of the Prophet who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud in fighting against Abu Sufyan) and said: "O Abu Ya'la! See that the kingdom which you fought against has finally come back to us."
Sharh Ibn Abil Hadid, v9, p53 quoted the last sentence as above

Muawiyah, said when he took over the Caliphate: "I didn't fight you to pray, fast, and pay charity, but rather to be your leader and control you!!!" This is an indication that Muawiyah never cared about any of Islam's mandates, nor Allah's (SWT) orders; rather his war was politically motivated to gain control of the whole region and take over the Caliphate. It is no wonder or surprise! Muawiyah poisoned Imam al-Hasan (AS), the greater son of Fatimah (AS) -- the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH&HF).
Tadhkirat al-Khawas, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanafi, pp 191-194
Ibn Abd al-Barr, in his "Seera"
Abu Nu'aym

Then Yazid, the Muawiyah's son, slaughtered Imam al-Husain (AS), in the desert of Karbala in Iraq, and ordered that Imam al-Husain's (AS) head be carried on a spear and displayed in towns for people to see it! May Allah avenge the Prophet's family!!! May Allah avenge the Prophet's family!!! May Allah avenge the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) family!!!

Now let us look at the Holy Quran for different categories: The first faction of the companions are characterized by Allah (SWT) in the following verse:

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against the 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 (Torah); 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.
Quran [48:29]

These companions (May Allah (SWT) be Pleased With Them), the Shia and the Sunnis have NO quarrel about. As such, they will not be discussed here. However, note what Allah (SWT) in His (SWT) infinite wisdom states in the last line: "Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds Forgiveness, and a great Reward." Why didn't Allah (SWT) say "Allah has promised ALL OF THEM?" Why did not Allah promise each and every one of them a great reward? Because not all of them were righteous! That's what the Shia are trying to convey to the world! The Sunnis, whenever they bless the Prophet (PBUH&HF), they also bless ALL the companions, with NO exception. Why did Allah (SWT), their Creator (SWT), make an exception, while the Sunni Muslims don't?

As for the second faction of the companions:

"O ye who believe! What is the matter with you, that when ye are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; But Him ye would not harm in the least, For Allah hath power over all things."
Quran [9:38-39]

This is a clear indication that some of the companions were lazy during the call to Jihad and other activities, and, thus, deserved the above reprimand by Allah (SWT). This is not the only instance where Allah (SWT) threatened to replace them.

Behold! you are those who are called upon to spend in Allah's way, but among you are those who are niggardly, and whoever is niggardly is niggardly against his own soul; and Allah is Self-sufficient and you have need (of Him), and if you turn back He will bring in your place another people, then they will not be like you.
Quran [47:38]

Could you tell me Who Allah is referring by "you" in the above verse?

And when they see merchandise or sport they break up for It, and leave you (Muhammad) standing (in prayers alone). Say: What is with Allah is better than sport and (better) than merchandise, and Allah is the best of Sustainers.
Quran [62:11]

Allah criticizes what happened during one Friday sermon, when a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah and the people rushed out to the merchandise. Allah said (And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing.) meaning, on the Minbar, delivering the Khutbah. Several of the Tabi`in said this, such as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Al-Hasan, Zayd bin Aslam and Qatadah. Muqatil bin Hayyan said that the caravan belonged to Dihyah bin Khalifah before he became a Muslim, and there were drums accompanying it. So they rushed to the caravan and left Allah's Messenger standing on the Minbar. Only a few remained, according to the authentic Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir said, "Once, a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah while Allah's Messenger was giving a Khutbah. So, the people left, and only twelve men remained ﴿with the Messenger ﴾. Then Allah sent down this Ayah.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

There were companions who at a time, left the Prophet (SAW) during the friday prayers in order to attend a caravan. The sunni ideology of Saint-ness of all Sahabis of Prophet (SAW) is flawed. Authentic Sunni traditions confirm that there have been some companions who used to oppose the Prophet's order and quarrel with him in several occasions. There was the issue of the captives of the battle "Badr" that the Prophet ordered their freedom for payment of the ransom money (Fidyah), and these companions went against it. There was the battle of "Tabook" that the Prophet ordered to slaughter the camels, to save their lives, and the same people went against it. There was the treaty of "Hudabiyyah" that the Prophet wanted to make peace with people of Mecca, and the very same companions went against it and they even cast doubt about the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH&HF). There was the battle of "Hunain" where they accused the Prophet of injustice in distributing the war booty. There was the appointment of "Usamah Ibn Zayd" who was assigned as the leader of Islamic army by the Prophet, and these companions disobeyed the order to follow him. There was a tragic Thursday when the Messenger of Allah wanted to state his will, and the very same companions accused him of talking non-sense and prevented him to do so. And there are many more of such reports which can be even found in Sahih al- Bukhari.

As for the third faction of the companions, there is a whole chapter in the Quran addressing them: "al-Munafiqun -The Hypocrites - Ch. 63", and beside that there are many other verses in this regard as well.

Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; But Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.
Quran [3:144]

This verse was revealed when some of the companions ran away from the battle of Uhud, when they falsely heard that Prophet was killed. Although they were forgiven by Prophet later, but the above verse gives a possibility that some of the companions may abandon Islam if the Prophet (PBUH&HF) dies. But Allah (SWT) makes exceptions: "...those who (serve Him) with gratitude."

O ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, --Lowly with the Believers, Mighty against the Rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, And He knoweth all things.
Quran [5:54]

Before giving more straightforward verses from Quran for this third group, let me give you some traditions from Sahih al-Bukhari which confirms apostasy for them. Since al-Bukhari has CONFIRMED the authenticity of the following tradition, I hope you do not consider him a "Kafir" after reading these traditions.

Narrated 'Abdullah: The Prophet said, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount." 'Abdullah added: The Prophet said, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount, and some of you will be brought in front of me till I will see them and then they will be taken away from me and I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' It will be said, 'You do not know what they did after you had left.'
Sahih-Al-Bukhari volume 8, tradition #578

These traditions, nonetheless, indicate the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) knowledge and awareness that some of his companions will change after him (PBUH&HF), and, therefore, will be condemned to hell. This is another reason why the Shia maintain that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) MUST have had a special vicegerent to trust the affairs of the Ummah (Nation) to -- a vicegerent that will NOT mutilate the religion and will remain steadfast until he meets his Creator (SWT) It is a known fact that the companions quarreled after the death of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and wars were waged.

There were companions who are in great respect for us. These are those whom Allah admired in the Holy Quran. As you might have noticed, those verses in the Holy Quran do not include all the companions. When Allah states:

And those who preceded (in belief), FROM AMONG Immigrants and Helpers and those who followed them in what was good, Allah WAS satisfied with them; He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein for ever. That is the great felicity.
And (however) among the arabs around you are hypocrites, and also among the people of Madina (there are some who) persist in hypocrisy whom you (O Muhammad) DO NOT KNOW. We, We know them, and We shall punish them twice; then they will be sent to a painful doom.
Quran [9:100-101]

The above verses show that: Allah WAS satisfied with them, but may not be applicable later. Allah addressing those who preceded in belief from among them, thus it means He is not addressing all of the companions. Immediately in the next verse, Allah talks about the hypocrites around Prophet who pretend to be his sincere companions and even Prophet does not know them according to the above verse. This is in conformity with the traditions of Sahih al-Bukhari mentioned above that Allah will say to His Prophet that "You do not know what these companions have done after you left them."

Fulfill your propmise, so that I fullfill My Promise.
Quran [2:40]

Thus even if we assume for the sake of argument that the verse 9:100 implies "all" the companions have been promised Paradise, the verse 2:40 clearly states that if those people break their covenant after the death of the messenger of Allah and kill innocents, then Allah will not fulfill His promise for them either.

Let us also look at the following Quranic verses which clearly shows that even a person with high virtues who deserves paradise, can BURN OUT all his good deeds (Habt of Amal) at once! So never judge people for their early good work (if any!). We should always look at the final result of each person.

And if he (Muhammad) had fabricated against Us some of the sayings, We would certainly have seized him by the right hand, Then We would certainly have cut off his aorta. And not one of you could have withheld Us from him. And most surely it is a reminder for those who guard (against evil)
Quran [69:44-48]

If prophet's deeds are in danger of BURNING, it is clear how to judge for the companions. Of course prophet did not burn out his deeds.

And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in disbelief, their works BURN OUT and will be of no use in this world and Hereafter, and they will be companions of Fire for ever.
Quran [2:217]

So it is quite possible for a believer whom Allah is satisfied with him, to become unbeliever tomorrow. Otherwise if somebody is promised that Allah is satisfied with him for ever and unconditionally (no mater he kills innocents or does any other wrong thing later), then it means that he is no longer under the test of Allah, which is in contradiction with several verses of Quran.