Silsilah as-Sahihah 1757 — Reason for not criticizing the Companions

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says: There was some dispute between Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) and Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him). Khalid said to Abdur Rahman: "If you accepted faith before us, then why do you take advantage of that over us?" When this matter reached the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he said: "Leave my Companions alone for my sake. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if you were to spend gold equal to Mount Uhud or the mountains (in the way of Allah), you would still not reach their level of deeds."