The adornment of their hearts was a ‘rejection of attachment...

The adornment of their hearts was a ‘rejection of attachment to this transient world’. The world was enlightened with their radiant light. However, we can not overlook the fact that not all of the Prophet’s (S) companions were endowed with the same fine human attributes in the course of their lives. According to the testimony of the Noble Qur’an, there were double-tongued hypocrites amongst them who were inclined to polytheism and had weak faith.

Therefore, merely being one of the Prophet’s (S) companions can never be a sign or proof of attainment of lofty moral values; of being a just person or having a high social status among the Muslims. We cannot accept everyone’s words, nor approve of their actions just because they happen to be one of the Prophet’s (S) companions.

If these people had internalized the training given to them by such a great teacher as Allah’s Prophet (S), they would not have dared be disobedient or commit any unjust act. People who received spiritual instruction possessed high moral values and valuable attributes. However, we cannot disregard the destructive effects of the carnal or sensual desires because they strongly neutralize the effects of spiritual training and take man back to the Age of Ignorance [ Jāhiliyyah ].

It is for this reason that we cannot pass the same verdict on all of the Prophet’s (S) companions [ sahābah ]. On the contrary, careful attention has to be paid to their words and deeds. Only then can we judge them fairly. [^1]: Sūrat al-Fath 48:29. [^2]: Sūrat al-Ahzāb 33:23. [^3]: Sūrat Āl ‘Imrān 3:193. Previous…