By Jamaal ud-Deen Zarabozo
In numerous places in the Qur'an, Allah praises and shows His pleasure for the Companions of the Prophet (Saw) and also for those who follow in their footsteps. For example, Allah says,
"And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhaajirun and the Ansaar and also those who followed them exactly (in faith)! Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success". (at-Tawbah, 100)
Furthermore, the following verse of the Qur'an was first and foremost directed to the Companions of the Prophet (saw);
"You are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind, you enjoin good and forbid evil, and you believe in Allah" (al-'Imraan, 110)
In addition there are numerous hadith in which the Prophet (saw) told us about the special place and superiority of his Companions, and also of those who came after them. Imraan ibn Hussain narrated that the Prophet (saw) said,
"The best people are my generation, then the people who come after them, then the people who come after them" (al-Bukhaari, and Muslim).
In another very important hadith, the Prophet (Saw) said,
"The tribes of Israel broke up into seventy-two sects. My ummah shall break up into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except for one: [That group] which follows what I and my Companions are following." (at-Tirmidhi)
The behaviour and actions of the Companions of the Prophet (ra) were witnessed by the Prophet (saw) himself and approved by him. This means that their behaviour was also approved by Allah as it is an accepted principle that the Prophet (Saw) is not allowed to approve of something which is essentially wrong.
