Knowledge & Devotion · The Noble Companions

Recognizing and Honoring Sahaabah

Test your knowledge on identifying, respecting, and understanding the roles of the Prophet's companions.

7 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. Who is considered a Sahaabi?

  • One who saw the Prophet ﷺ, believed in him, and died upon that belief. (correct answer)
  • Only someone who fought in a major battle.
  • Only someone who migrated before the Prophet ﷺ.
  • Only someone who memorized the entire Qur’an.

Why

A Sahaabi is someone who saw the Prophet ﷺ, believed in him, and died in that state of belief. Everyone who meets this description is counted among the Sahaabah, even if some were newer in Islam or made mistakes. The Companions vary in virtue and status, but it is not permissible to revile or impugn any of them. Allah promised good to them, and the Prophet ﷺ forbade reviling his Companions.

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2. Are the jinn who met the Prophet ﷺ, believed in him, and died as believers included among the Sahaabah?

  • Yes, they are included under the definition of Sahaabah. (correct answer)
  • No, Sahaabah can only be humans from Madinah.
  • No, because jinn are not accountable.
  • No, because the Prophet ﷺ was not sent to the jinn.

Why

The definition of a Sahaabi is one who met the Prophet ﷺ as a believer and died as a believer. The jinn met the Prophet ﷺ, listened to the Qur’an, believed in it, and returned to their people as warners. Because the Prophet ﷺ was sent to the jinn and they are accountable, the more correct view is that believing jinn who met him are included under the heading of Sahaabah.

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3. What is a consequence of doubting the sound character of the Sahaabah?

  • It leads to doubting the religion of Allah itself. (correct answer)
  • It only affects knowledge of Arab history.
  • It has no effect on trust in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
  • It proves later generations are more reliable than them.

Why

The Sahaabah transmitted the Qur’an, Sunnah, religious duties, rulings, and knowledge of Islam to the ummah. If someone doubts their honesty and sound character, that doubt does not stop with their personal biographies; it undermines trust in the religion they conveyed. The source warns that casting aspersions on them is casting aspersions on the religion, because they were the first generation who believed, learned, acted, and transmitted Islam.

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4. How will the Prophet ﷺ recognize people from his ummah at the Cistern?

  • By the bright traces of wudoo’ on their faces and limbs. (correct answer)
  • By their lineage to the Companions.
  • By their worldly status.
  • By the language they spoke in the world.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ will recognize members of his ummah at the Cistern by the traces of wudoo’ on their faces and limbs, like the white markings of a horse. Some people will be driven away from the Cistern because they changed after him, such as apostates, hypocrites, people of innovation, and some major sinners according to some scholarly explanations. The traces of wudoo’ are a distinguishing mark of this ummah, but being recognized does not mean every person will be allowed to drink if they changed or deviated after the Prophet ﷺ.

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5. What did Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه say about inheritance from the Prophets?

  • Prophets are not inherited from, and what they leave behind is charity. (correct answer)
  • Only the closest relatives may inherit from Prophets.
  • The Prophet’s ﷺ property had to be divided only among his wives.
  • The Prophet’s ﷺ property belonged personally to the caliph.

Why

Faatimah رضي الله عنها asked Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه about inheritance from the Prophet ﷺ. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه told her what he had heard from the Prophet ﷺ: Prophets are not inherited from, and whatever they leave behind is charity. He did not apply this ruling for personal benefit; he also did not allow his own daughter ‘Aa’ishah رضي الله عنها to inherit from that wealth. Later, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه explained his delay in giving allegiance, acknowledged Abu Bakr’s virtue, and gave his oath of allegiance publicly.

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6. What is the ruling on singling out ‘Ali رضي الله عنه with the phrase “karrama Allaahu wajhahu”?

  • It should not be singled out for him, because honouring should not distinguish him from the other Companions in this way. (correct answer)
  • It is obligatory whenever ‘Ali رضي الله عنه is mentioned.
  • It is required because no other Companion had virtues.
  • It is a phrase proven from the Prophet ﷺ specifically for ‘Ali رضي الله عنه in every mention.

Why

The meaning of “may Allah honour his face” is acceptable in itself, but singling out ‘Ali رضي الله عنه with it is not appropriate. The source explains that all the Sahaabah should be respected and honoured, and that Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthmaan رضي الله عنهم are even more deserving of honour in rank. It also notes that this phrase became associated with exaggeration about ‘Ali رضي الله عنه and imitation of people of bid‘ah, so it should be avoided as a special formula for him alone.

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7. Why did ‘Aa’ishah رضي الله عنها go out during the Battle of the Camel?

  • To try to bring about reconciliation among the Muslims. (correct answer)
  • To kill ‘Ali رضي الله عنه.
  • To support the killing of ‘Uthmaan رضي الله عنه.
  • To cause more fighting between Muslims.

Why

The report accusing ‘Aa’ishah رضي الله عنها of killing ‘Uthmaan رضي الله عنه or wanting to kill ‘Ali رضي الله عنه is rejected as munkar and unsound. The source states that she was innocent of the blood of ‘Uthmaan رضي الله عنه and that she went out during the Battle of the Camel in an effort to bring about reconciliation among Muslims. She did not seek the killing of ‘Ali رضي الله عنه, and that never crossed her mind.

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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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