Ibn Mas'ud said, ‘If anyone follows someone’s custom let him follow the custom of one who is dead, for one cannot be sure of the living not being led astray. Those to follow are Muhammad’s Companions who were the most excellent among the people, purest in heart, most profound in knowledge, most unassuming, whom God chose for companionship with His Prophet and to establish His religion. So recognise their excellence, follow their traces, and hold as fast as you can to their character and way of life, for they followed right guidance.” Razin transmitted it.
Commentary on the Narration of Ibn Mas'ud
This profound statement from the noble Companion 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) contains essential guidance for the Muslim Ummah regarding the proper sources of religious authority and methodology.
The Excellence of Following the Predecessors
Ibn Mas'ud advises following the customs of those who have passed away, meaning the pious predecessors (as-salaf as-salih), because the living are subject to trial and deviation. This establishes the principle that religious authority lies with the transmitted tradition of the righteous early generations.
The Companions are specifically singled out because they received Islam directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him) without intermediary. Their understanding is pure and uncontaminated by later innovations and theological disputes.
Qualities of the Companions
Ibn Mas'ud enumerates the distinguishing characteristics of the Sahaba: excellence in character, purity of heart, profound knowledge, and humility. These qualities made them uniquely qualified to transmit and understand the religion.
Their selection by Allah for the companionship of His Prophet was a divine honor that conferred upon them special status and reliability as transmitters of Islamic knowledge.
Practical Application
The practical injunction is threefold: recognize their excellence, follow their methodology, and adhere to their character. This constitutes the sound approach to Islam - following the understanding and practice of the first generation of Muslims.
The final statement "for they followed right guidance" confirms that the path of the Companions is the guaranteed path of salvation, as they implemented the Quran and Sunnah in its purest form under the direct supervision of the Prophet.