ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chpater 4) A Shi'ite View of the The topic in this article is how the Shia view the companions of the (PBUH&HF). In this part we shall look at Allah's (SWT) opinion, as stated in the Quran, with regards to the companions as well as the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) opinion through authentic Sunni traditions. Introduction 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. These include, but are not limited to, Abu Bakr and Umar.

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!!!" Sunni references: 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.