28: The best of the Companions of Allah's Messenger
The best of this Ummah, after the passing away of its Prophet, is Abu Bakr, and then ‘Umar, and then ‘Uthmaan. This is what is reported to us from Ibn ‘Umar, who said, “We used to say, whilst Allah’s Messenger was amongst us, ‘The best of people after the Messenger of Allah is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then’Uthmaan.’ The Prophet would hear of that and not criticise it.”[1] Then the best of people after them are ‘Alee, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa’d ibn Abee Waqqaas, Sa’eed ibn Zayd, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf and Abu ‘Ubaidah ‘Aamir ibn al-Jarrah. All of them were suitable to be Khaleefah. Then the best of people after them are the (rest of the) Companions of the Messenger of Allah, the first generation amongst whom he was sent, the first Muhaajirs and Ansaar, those who prayed towards both qiblahs, then the best of people after them are those who accompanied the Messenger of Allah for a day, a month, a year or less or more than that. We ask Allah to have mercy upon them. We mention their virtues and remain silent about any mistakes they made and we do not speak about a single one of them except favourably, as the Messenger of Allah said, “When my Companions are mentioned then withhold,” [2] Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyainah [3] said, “He who speaks a single word against the Companions of Allah’s Messenger is an innovator.” [4
NOTES
1. This is reported by al-Bukhaaree (5/6/no.7), Ahmad in Fadaailus-Sahaabah (no.570) and as-Sunnah of ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad- pp.574-578
2. Saheeh: reported by at-Tabaraanee from Ibn Mas’ood, from the Prophet. See Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (no.34) of Shaikh al-Albaanee
3. Shaikhul-Islaam, Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyainah was a Taabi’ut-Taabi’een. He was born in 107H, in Makkah and died in 198H
4. In the printed edition, after the saying of Sufyaan, there occurs: The Prophet said, “My Companions are like the stars; whichever of them you follow, you will be guided.” This narration is a fabrication. Refer to Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth ad-Da’eefah (no.58) and The Prophet’s Prayer Described, by Shaikh al-Albaanee - pp.94-96
29: To obey the rulers in that which Allah loves and is pleased with
To hear and obey the rulers in that which Allah loves and is pleased with. Whoever becomes Khaleefah through the consensus of the people and their being pleased with him, he is the ‘Chief of the Believers’ (Ameerul-Mu’mineen
30 : It is not permissible to spend a night thinking that one has no Imaam
It is, therefore, not permissible for anyone to spend a single night thinking that he has no Imaam over him, whether he (the Imaam) be righteous or wicked
31: The prayer is performed behind the rulers and Hajj and Jihaad are carried out with them
The Hajj and Jihaad are to be carried out under his leadership. Jumu’ah prayer behind them (i.e. the wicked rulers) [1] is allowed and, after it, six rak’ahs should be prayed, splitting it into sets of two rak’ahs. This is the saying of Ahmad ibn Hanbal [2
NOTES
1. ‘Ubaydullaah ibn ‘Adiyy ibn Khiyaar reports: I went to ‘Uthmaan (radiallaahu anhu), whilst he was being besieged and I said to him: You are the ruler of the Muslims in general and you see what has befallen you. We are being led in prayer by a leader of insurrection and we are afraid of being sinful. So ‘Uthmaan said, “The prayer is the best of actions which people do so, when the people do good deeds, do good along with them. When they do evil, avoid their evil.” Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. trans. 1/376/ch.56)
2- Abdullaah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal reports in his Masaail (no.446): I asked my father how many (rak’ahs) should I pray after Jumu’ah. He said, “If you wish, pray four (rak’ahs) or, if you wish, pray six rak’ahs, in twos; that is what I prefer, but, if you pray four, there is no harm.” Abu Dawood reports in his Masaail (p.59): I heard Ahmad say, “(Regarding) prayer after Jumu’ah, if one prays four, good. If one prays two, good, and if one prays six, good