None should revile my Companions. for if one amongst you were to spend as much gold as Uhud, it would not amount to as much as one mudd of one of them or half of it.
The Book of the Merits of the Companions - Sahih Muslim 2541 a
This profound hadith from Sahih Muslim establishes the unparalleled status of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and prohibits speaking ill of them.
Prohibition of Reviling the Companions
The Prophet's statement "None should revile my Companions" constitutes a clear prohibition against speaking ill of, criticizing, or finding fault with those who accompanied him, believed in him, and supported his mission.
This protection extends to all Companions without distinction, as they collectively sacrificed their wealth, families, and lives for the establishment of Islam.
The Incomparable Merit of the Companions
The comparison of spending "gold as much as Uhud" mountain versus "one mudd" (a small dry measure approximately equal to two handfuls) demonstrates the immense spiritual gap between later generations and the Companions.
Even the greatest material sacrifices of later Muslims cannot equal the smallest good deeds of the Companions due to the purity of their faith, the sincerity of their intentions, and the historical context of being firsthand witnesses to revelation.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that the Companions' merit lies in their precedence in embracing Islam, their direct exposure to divine revelation, their personal sacrifices, and their role in transmitting the religion to subsequent generations.
Imam al-Nawawi comments that this hadith establishes the superiority of the Companions over all later generations and obliges Muslims to respect them and refrain from criticizing their disagreements, which were based on sincere scholarly interpretation.
Practical Implications
This teaching requires Muslims to maintain respect for all Companions, avoid discussing their disputes in negative terms, and recognize that their differences were matters of ijtihad (scholarly reasoning) for which they were rewarded.
The preservation of the Companions' honor is essential for maintaining the integrity of Islamic tradition, as they are the primary transmitters of the Quran and Sunnah to the Muslim community.