trustworthy person of my Ummah, Abu Zar is the most ascetic (who has turned away from this world) and truthful person of this Ummah, Abu Darda is the biggest devout worshipper and most pious person of my Ummah, and Mu’awiyah Bin Sufyan is the most forbearing and generous person of my Ummah (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم). (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 7, pp. 344, Hadees 33666)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم further stated: I am the first one to enter Paradise among the people of ‘Arab, Salman will be the first one to enter Paradise among the people of Persia, Suhayb is the first one to enter Paradise among the Romans, and Bilal is the first one to enter Paradise among the people of Abyssinia        (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم). (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 7, pp. 344, Hadees 33672)

All my companions (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم) are reverend and beloved to me, even if they are dark skinned slave. (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 7, pp. 345, Hadees 33674)

Light of guidance

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see that how did the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم mention the dignity and glory of the blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم? Moreover, it is the desire of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself that my Ummah revers and dignifies my companions immensely. Therefore, we should also truly love all the blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم and spend our lives by following their Seerah [biography] and character; because they are the bright stars of guidance about whom the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: ‘اَصْحَابِي كَالنُّجُومِ فَبِاَيِّہِمْ اِقْتَدَيْتُمْ اِهْتَدَيْتُمْ’ i.e. my companions are like stars. Whoever among them you follow, you will be guided. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 2, pp. 414, Hadees 6018)

In the commentary of this Hadees, Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! What a beautiful comparison. The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم referred to his blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم as the stars of guidance, and in another Hadees, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم referred to his household (Ahl-e-Bayt) as the ark of Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. A traveller of sea is in need of a boat as well as the guidance of stars, as ship sails in sea only upon the guidance of stars. In the same way, the Muslim Ummah is in need of the Ahl-e-Bayt Athaar as well as the blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم for their spiritual life. Guidance for Ummah lies in following the blessed companions. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 8, pp. 179)

Ahl-e-Sunnat ka hay bayra paar, Ashaab-e-Huzoor

Najm hayn aur naao hay ‘itrat Rasoolullah ki

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish)