Referring to the Sahaabah as “hypocrites”
Question:-
A person named Khalid Sayed is the Head of the ANC Youth League and a MPL in the Western Cape Legislature. On Lailatul Ashuraa at the Ahlul Bait Centre in Cape Town, he made the following comments: “The Khulafa-e-Raashideen and Sahaabah (Radiallahu Anhum) are Munafiqeen who usurped the Khilafah and hid their Kufr.” What is the status of the Imaan of such a person? Attached herewith is the clip of the statements that was shared widely on social media platforms.
Answer:-
Hadrat Abdullah Bin Masood Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Verily Allah Ta’ala looked in the hearts of His servants and found the heart of Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam the best of hearts from amongst the servants, He then chose it for himself and deputed him with His message, He then looked into the hearts of the servants after Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and found the hearts of his companions to be the best of hearts from amongst the servants, He then made them the ministers of His Nabi who will defend His Deen.” [Narrated by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad Pg.379 Vol.1]
Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “When you see those swearing my companions, then say, “May the curse of Allah be upon your evil.” [Re:- Tirmidhi Hadith no.3866]
Hadrat Abdullah Bin Mughaffal Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Fear Allah! Fear Allah! In regard to my companions. Do not make them a target after me. Whoever loves them, it is because of my love that he loves them. Whoever hates them, then it is because of hatred for me that he hates them. Whoever harms them, then he has certainly harmed me, and whoever harms me, then he has certainly caused harm to Allah Ta’ala. And whoever causes harm to Allah Ta’ala, then He will soon grab hold of him (punish him).” [Re:- Tirmidhi Hadith no. 3862]
In a narration recorded by Imaam Shafi Rahimahullah, Hadrat Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “A group of people will appear in the final time who will lower the position of the Sahaabah, don’t get (your women) married to them and do not marry them (yourselves), do not perform Salaah with them and do not perform Salaah upon them (referring to the Janaazah Salaah on their demise). Curse descends upon such people.” [Faslul Khitaab Fee Mawaafiqil Ashaab Pg.18 No.10]
These narrations of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam should increase us in our Imaan as we have been warned of such evil groups appearing in the final era before Qiyaamah. We are witness to the prophecy of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. We, as followers of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, should distance and disassociate ourselves from them.
Khalid Sayed, a senior member of the ANC, has referred to the Khulafa-e-Raashideen (particularly Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar and Sayyiduna Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhum) as hypocrites. Any true Muslim that refers to the Sahaabah as hypocrites, will lose his Imaan. If, by referring to an ordinary Muslim as ‘Kaafir’ one loses his Imaan, what can then be said about those personalities for whom Allah Ta’ala has declared His pleasure?![Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.55/56 Vol.2]
In conclusion, to be classified as a Muslim (once again), after sincerely repenting from one’s statement of Kufr, one is required to recite the Kalimah Tayyibah and together with that, hold the correct beliefs as required in Shariah, which includes honouring the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum as understood from the narrations quoted above.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 13 Muharram 1444 / 12 August 2022