Ustaz Feisal on categories of 'sahabah'

Bismillah.

Speaking at Masjid Sultan in Singapore on the 4th of Muharram 1434 Hijri, Ustaz Feisal said "Muharram is all about reflecting on the episode of the Prophet's hijrah. And the one person who played a key role during the hijrah namely Sayyidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq."

He was none other than the first Islamic caliph. His name prior to accepting Islam was Abdul Kaabah (servant of Kaabah). He was one of the earliest people to have embraced Islam and took on a new Islamic name - Abdullah ibni Abu Qahafah. But as we know, he became more well known as Abu Bakar because he used to be shepherd of she-camels hence abu bikr -- father of camels.

And certainly he earned the honorable title As-Siddiq because he was always acknowledging Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his prophecy and the magnificent event of Isra' wal mi'raj among others.

The hijrah event served as a clear evidence of who Sayyidina Abu Bakar really was. Consider verse 40 of Surah At Taubah recited by Imam Abdul Hakim earlier, where Allah had referred to Sayyidina Abu Bakar as "the second of two". He was regarded as the Prophet's companion. Allah recognized his role as the Prophet's companion.

"If you do not help him, [know that] God has already helped him, when the disbelievers drove him forth - the second of two; when the two were in the cave - when he said to his companion, 'Do not despair; verily God is with us'. Then God send down His Spirit of Peace upon him and supported him with legions you did not see; and He made the word of those who disbelieved the nethermost, and the Word of God was the uppermost. And God is Mighty, Wise." [Translation by Royal Al Bayt Institute].

Ustaz Feisal said, "There are many categories of sahabah. There are many kinds of sahabah as mentioned in the Quran i.e. ashabul yamin, ashabul maimanah. Likewise we want to be ashabul salawat [one who is committed to making salawat].

There are three types of sahabah. One who is of a higher stature than us. One from whom we ask for du'a and who makes du'a for us. And one who walks with us, having the same interest as we do.

Sayyidina Abu Bakar befriended Rasulallah s.a.w who was clearly of a higher stature than him in age, knowledge and spiritual position. When they were hiding in the cave, when Sayyidina Abu Bakar felt terrified by the event, he asked for the prophet's counsel and  prayer. Rasulallah s.a.w comforted him saying la tahzan, worry not. One who is on the higher position (i.e. the Prophet) makes du'a for his junior friend. And the junior serves (perform khidmat) and shows adab towards his senior. A true sahabi is one with whom you meet, walk together and shows affection towards each other. A true friend is one with whom you sweat together [experience hardship together] and not one with whom you simply click "Like" as what people do nowadays on Facebook without even meeting him/her, let alone experience good times and bad times together.

Sahabah is much more than that. It takes a lot more than the kind of friendship we foster so easily and superficially on the internet.

_______________________________

Allahu a'lam. May I be forgiven for any errors and omissions.

May Allah grant us the blessings of true friendships. Ameen.