Some of them have attained the highest degree of perfection...

Some of them have attained the highest degree of perfection, virtue and humanity, whereas some others have remained in the abyss of meanness and corruption, and not all of them have succeeded to gain honour as companions of the Prophet or to find the way leading to truth and perfection, and thus to win equality with others.

This being the case, would this law that believes the companions and other people are equal in the religion of Islam and makes dignity and superiority dependent upon the degree of chastity and performance of sacred injunctions of Islam, not be the most adequate reason for that group of people who have not 6.Sahih Muslim 5/114. 7.The Holy Qur'an, Chapter al-Hujurat, Verse 13. 8.al-Imamah wa as-siyasah, Ibn Qutaybah 1/119, Printed in Cairo.

yet abandoned the way of caution, to permit a discussion and a critical survey of the Prophet's companions?

A companion who has not followed the path of truth and has not submitted to the sacred law of Islam, cannot claim a distinction only by being a companion of the Prophet, in the same way that the people of our own time who have been separated greatly from the era of the Prophet, but have fully understood his holy principles and have been deeply influenced by Islam, cannot be reproached for not having lived in the Prophet's time and not having had the good fortune of being his companions.

In fact, there are many individuals who are near in appearance, but far in reality, whereas there may be many who are far in appearance, and yet close in reality. In my opinion, we and the Prophet's companions are equal in our call for truth and the need for propagating the exalted laws of Islam.

Indeed, the greatest distinction gained by the Prophet's companions in benefiting from his association has been their opportunity to have personal contact with and received direct command from the master of the faith. It should be remembered that this distinction has no more than two aspects: Firstly, the great blessing of his companionship and receiving his direct command without intermediary, and secondly it is the most convincing sign and decisive argument for the companion himself.