Life of Sahaba and why it matters to Muslims to know about them
The word sahaba is the plural of sahib and is used to describe certain group of people in the history of Islam who has seen and/or heard Prophet Muhammad(saw) at least once in their lifetime. All Islamic scholars consider them to be superior to mankind after all of the prophets of Allah(j.j). There are even rumors, originating from Damascus of those times, that, the members of Christianity admired the general attitude and behaviors of sahaba in such way that they were considered to be “better” than the apostles of Prophet Jesus(as). The term “better” is obviously subjective but such remarks are important to emphasize what kind of level of respect the sahaba was receiving the birth-times of Islam.
They were the first ones to believe in Holy Quran and the overall message Rasulullah(saw) brought and were the first respondents to the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(saw). Therefore, they were the ones to witness Islam in its pure and original form.
Fortunately, Muslims scholars throughout centuries comprehended the importance of following the sahaba and therefore today, we have a firm and authentic understanding of the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad(saw) because the colossal amount of narration and life-stories available to Muslims of all eras through the life of the sahaba.
There lies perfect examples for today’s Muslims from the life of the sahaba since they sacrificed their lives and wealth for the sake of Islam and succeeded in assisting Prophet Muhammad(saw) in his holy mission to echo to the whole planet about the message of Islam.
This kind of altruism and public spirit mentality are mentioned in Holy Quran. In fact there are many Quran ayats about sahaba, here is two of them:
Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous.
And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,- they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah. Verily Allah is well-acquainted with all things. (Al-Anfal 8/74-75)
The vanguard (of Islam)- the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds,- well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity. (At-Tawba 9/100)
It is argued among scholars that there are almost 100.000 of sahaba, many had to witness lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad(saw) closely.
Perhaps it is this fortunate notion that there have been many many perfect examples for Muslims who have been following Prophet Muhammad(saw) and passed these traditions to other generation and therefore today’s Muslims believe in the same authentic Islam that has been valid and truthful for centuries without any alterations to the core of Islamic Aqeedah.
Critiques and opponents of Islam have tried to argue about authenticity of many Islamic traditions but thousands of thousands sahaba’s narration are like the perfect grid-lock to firmness of Islamic belief system.
So, the concept of “life of sahaba” is crucial to Muslims not just for “perfect samples to follow” but also for argumentative to prove about the authenticity of Islam and its aqeedah and vast hadith collections of Prophet Muhammad(saw)
Shortly, it is not just a few or 12 people, tens of thousands people have witnessed the last prophet sent to mankind, and in his words, they are like the stars in the firmament, one can never be lost if he follows any of them.
Baris Tarimcioglu/islamoformation.com
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