All my blessed Sahabah (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم) are beloved and noble in my sight even if he is a Habashi slave. (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 7, pp. 345, Hadees 33674)

نمایاں ہیں اِسلام کے گلستاں میں                 ہر اِک گل پہ رنگِ بہارِ صحابہ

Beacons of guidance

Dear Islamic brothers! Have you seen! How excellently the Noblest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم showed the great eminence & prominence of his blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم and the desire of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is that his Ummah must show great respect and reverence towards his blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم. Therefore, we should have true love towards the blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم by acting upon the blessed saying of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and we should lead our lives while following their excellent character and their way of living because these are those blessed people about whom the Noblest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: ‘اَصۡحَابِي كَالنُّجُوۡمِ فَبِاَيِّهِمۡ اِقۡتَدَيۡتُمۡ اِهۡتَدَيۡتُمۡ’ My companions are like (guiding) stars. Whomsoever you follow, you will be guided (on the right path).

(Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 2, pp. 414, Hadees 6018)

Commenting on the abovementioned blessed Hadees, the renowned commentator, Hakeem-ul-Ummat, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan عَـلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ الـرَّحْمٰن has stated: سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! What an impressive and striking comparison is given here! The Noblest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم called them the guiding stars and in another blessed Hadees, the Ahl-e-Bayt رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم have been compared to Sayyiduna Nabi Nuh’s ark. Those who travel by sea need a boat or ship and the guidance of stars as well, because ferries and boats seek the guidance of stars; similarly, the Muslim Ummah needs both the blessed Ahl-e-Bayt-e-Athaar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم and the blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم for guidance.

(Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 8, pp. 179)

اَہلِ سُنَّت کا ہے بیڑا پار، اَصحابِ حُضور       نجم ہیں اور ناؤ ہے عِترت رَسُولُ الله کی