Knowledge & Devotion · The Noble Companions

Prophetic Companions' Virtues and Roles

Explore insights into the Prophet's (peace be upon him) companions' lives and significance.

6 questions · Hard · about 3 minutes

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1. Why does the hadith “If there were to be a Prophet after me, it would be ‘Umar” not mean that ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was better than Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه?

  • Because prophethood is by Allah’s choice, and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه remains superior by Sunni consensus. (correct answer)
  • Because ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was actually a Prophet after Muhammad ﷺ.
  • Because Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did not have any virtues.
  • Because the hadith proves personal effort can earn prophethood.

Why

The report highlights virtues that Allah created in ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, including qualities similar to those recognized in prophets, such as sincerity, courage, truthfulness, and strong support of Islam. But prophethood is not earned by personal qualities; it is purely by Allah’s choice and selection. The source also states that Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه is better than ‘Umar رضي الله عنه according to the consensus of Ahl as-Sunnah, so this hadith is not used to prove ‘Umar’s superiority over Abu Bakr.

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2. What did the Prophet ﷺ interpret ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab’s long shirt as representing in the dream?

  • Religious commitment. (correct answer)
  • Wealth and kingship.
  • Physical height.
  • Leadership of an army.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ saw people in a dream wearing shirts of different lengths. In that dream, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه was wearing a shirt that dragged along the ground. When asked how he interpreted it, the Prophet ﷺ said it meant religious commitment. This is one of the reports showing the virtues of ‘Umar رضي الله عنه.

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3. What did the Prophet ﷺ teach about loving the Muhajirin and Ansar?

  • Loving them is part of faith. (correct answer)
  • Loving them is only optional for scholars.
  • Loving them applies only to the Ansar.
  • Loving them is unrelated to faith.

Why

The Muhajirin and Ansar were the Companions and students of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They sacrificed their homes, wealth, lives, and efforts to support Islam. Allah praised them in the Qur’an, and the Prophet ﷺ praised them in hadith. The source states that loving them is part of faith and hating them is part of hypocrisy, because a believer who knows their sacrifices for Islam cannot help but love them.

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4. What is the proper attitude toward the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ?

  • Think positively of them and speak of them with praise. (correct answer)
  • Criticize them whenever later people disagree with them.
  • Reject their virtue because they differed in some matters.
  • Speak well only of those personally named in the Qur’an.

Why

The Companions were chosen by Allah to accompany His Prophet ﷺ and transmit the Qur’an and Sunnah. The correct attitude is to think positively of them and speak of them with praise. When discussing conflicts that occurred among them, one must distinguish between those who made sincere ijtihad and those who deliberately stirred up mischief. Fighting that occurred among believers does not mean the Companions involved became disbelievers or lost their status as believers.

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5. What was one of the greatest concerns of the Companions regarding the Qur’an?

  • Memorizing it, learning it, acting upon it, and teaching it. (correct answer)
  • Translating it before understanding it.
  • Debating it without acting upon it.
  • Keeping it away from later Muslims.

Why

The Companions were eager to do good and quick to perform righteous deeds. One of their greatest concerns was memorizing the Book of Allah, learning it, acting upon it, and teaching it to others. They learned directly from the Prophet ﷺ and taught one another. Reports also mention that they learned the Qur’an together with its practice, so they would not move on from verses until they learned how to act upon them.

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6. Why should Muslims follow the example of the Companions?

  • Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet ﷺ and establish His religion. (correct answer)
  • They were free from all human weakness.
  • They replaced the Qur’an and Sunnah.
  • Their personal opinions are followed even when they oppose revelation.

Why

Ibn Mas‘ood رضي الله عنه advised those who want to follow a path to follow the path of those who had died, meaning the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ, because the living are not safe from fitnah. He described them as the best of this ummah: purest in heart, deepest in knowledge, and most straightforward. Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet ﷺ and establish His religion, so Muslims should recognize their status and follow their example in conduct and attitude as much as possible.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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