Hadith Text & Reference

"Do not abuse my Companions, for by the One in Whose Hand is my soul! If one of you were to spend gold the like of Uhud, it would not equal a Mudd - nor half of it - of one of them."

Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Virtues, Hadith: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3861

Context & Significance

This profound hadith establishes the sacred status of the Prophet's Companions (Ṣaḥābah) in Islamic tradition. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered this warning during a time when nascent sectarian tensions threatened Muslim unity.

The Companions are distinguished as the primary recipients and transmitters of divine revelation, having witnessed the Quran's revelation and the Prophet's exemplary life directly.

Scholarly Commentary

Prohibition of Criticism: Scholars unanimously agree this hadith prohibits speaking ill of any Companion, as their collective honor is divinely protected. This includes abstaining from investigating their disputes, which arose from scholarly interpretation (ijtihād).

The Gold Comparison: Mount Uhud's massive size emphasizes the impossibility of matching Companion's merit through worldly deeds. A "Mudd" (approximately 750-800 grams of grain) represents the smallest charitable amount, highlighting that even their most minor good deeds outweigh others' greatest expenditures.

Theological Implications: This establishes the orthodox position that all Companions are trustworthy ('adl) by divine testimony. Criticizing them undermines Islam's foundations, as they are the authentic links in the chain of transmission from the Prophet ﷺ to subsequent generations.

Practical Application

Muslims must: 1) Speak only good of the Companions 2) Interpret historical events involving them with the most favorable understanding 3) Recognize their superior status due to their direct service to Islam's establishment 4) Understand that loving the Companions is an essential part of faith.