Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 219❀ The Definition of a Ṣaḥābī – A Complete Explanation
Question:Does the term Ṣaḥābī (Companion) refer only to those who saw the Prophet ﷺ? Or is it for those who not only saw him but also loved and supported him? Does it include anyone who lived in his time, whether they saw him or not?
Answer:الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله
✦ What Is the Definition of a Ṣaḥābī?
A Ṣaḥābī is defined as:
① A person who saw the Prophet ﷺ,
② Believed in him,
③ And died in the state of faith.
Alternatively, a Ṣaḥābī may also be:
④ Someone who spoke to the Prophet ﷺ and heard him directly, even if they could not see him, such as:
❖ ʿAbdullah ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه, who was blind.
✘ Who Is Not Considered a Ṣaḥābī?
❶ Those who did not see the Prophet ﷺ, even if they were alive during his lifetime:
- Example: Uways al-Qarnī رحمه الله
He lived during the Prophet's ﷺ time but never saw him because he remained in Yemen serving his mother.
When he arrived in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ had already passed away.
Thus, he is not a Companion, but rather, as per authentic narration, he is:
❝The best of the Tābiʿīn (Successors).❞
Sahih Muslim (2/311)
❷ Those who saw the Prophet ﷺ but did not believe in him:
- Such individuals are not Companions, as Imān (faith) is a required condition.
❸ Those who believed, but later apostatized (became murtadd):
- They are not Ṣaḥābah, and are instead considered disbelievers, due to the loss of their faith before death.
Summary of the Three Foundational Criteria
◈ The one who saw the Prophet ﷺ,
◈ Believed in him during his lifetime,
◈ And died upon Islam –
Only such a person is a true Ṣaḥābī.
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
