The Stance of Ahl al-Sunnah on Disputes Among the Companions (Ṣaḥābah)

Adapted from the original work of Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah), organized with headings and formatting for clarity.

❖ Introduction​

Regarding the mutual disputes, disagreements, and battles among the Companions (Ṣaḥābah) of the Prophet ﷺ, the stance of Ahl al-Sunnah, especially the Ahl al-Ḥadīth, aligns with that of the early scholars and the pious predecessors (Salaf Ṣāliḥīn). They held a unanimous belief that such matters should be met with silence and supplication for the Companions rather than criticism or condemnation.

❖ Scholarly Consensus​

◉ Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH) stated:
"Ahl al-Sunnah unanimously agree to remain silent concerning the disputes among the Companions and to speak of them only in good terms. Therefore, anyone who criticizes Mu‘āwiyah (RA) or any other Companion goes against the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah."
(Mukhtasar Sīrah al-Rasūl, p. 317)

◉ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (661–728 AH) also said:
"Ahl al-Sunnah believe in restraining the tongue from delving into disputes among the Companions because their virtues are established and love for them is obligatory. Reflecting deeply on their disputes often leads to harboring malice and hostility in the heart, which results in sin. Hence, silence was the practice of the righteous predecessors."
(Minhāj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah, 1/448)

❖ Evidences from the Qur'an and Hadith​

The disputes among the Companions were based on Ijtihād (scholarly reasoning) and not due to malice or evil intent. The Qur'an even forgave non-Ijtihād-based mistakes of the Companions:

“Indeed, Allah has forgiven them.”
(Surah Āl ‘Imrān 3:155, referring to the Battle of Uhud)

◉ Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not speak ill of my Companions. If any of you were to spend gold equal to Mount Uhud, it would not equal a Mudd (small measure) or even half a Mudd of what they gave.”
(Sahih Muslim: 2540)

❖ Consensus of the Ummah​

◉ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab emphasized that the Ummah agrees on remaining silent about the disputes of the Companions. This view was held by various Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah, including Imam Abu Zur‘ah, Imam Abu Ḥātim, and Imam Ahmad ibn Ḥanbal (rahimahumullah).

◉ Imam Ahmad ibn Ḥanbal stated:
“When you see someone speaking ill of a Companion, know that he is from the people of innovation, for no one is permitted to revile the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
(Kitāb al-Sunnah, p. 162)

◉ Imam Abu Zur‘ah said:
“When you see someone criticizing any Companion of the Prophet ﷺ, know that he is an enemy of Islam.”
(Kitāb al-Sunnah, p. 63)

❖ Summary​

The unanimous stance of Ahl al-Sunnah is to remain silent regarding the disputes among the Companions and to pray for them, not to criticize or dishonor them. Speaking ill of the Companions is a sign of innovation and misguidance. The path of the righteous predecessors has always been to speak only well of the Companions and to hold them in the highest regard.