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Integrity of the Prophet's Companions
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Integrity Of The Prophet's
Companions
By Muhammad Alkhider
Some people intentionally or unintentionally do refer to the meaning of Integrity and the concept of
Infallibility as synonymous, although the difference between them is crystal-clear. As such, they
think that attributing virtuousness to the companions of the Holy Prophet necessitates their
infallibility. What a grave mistake!
Integrity of the Prophet’s companions means that: they were neither hypocrites, liars, lewd, immoral
nor infidels. Besides, they were righteous believers who would err sometimes and correct their
mistakes thereafter. They committed mistakes after which they hastened to repent and seek
forgiveness from Allah Almighty. They obeyed God, the Most High, and expected His acceptance of
their acts of devotion without an iota of doubt.
Infallibility requires of a person to be exalted from committing sins or perpetuating shortcomings.
Both his mind and body should be immaculate of blemishes and shortcomings that can easily
defame his rank and traduce his status.
The difference between Integrity and Infallibility is crystal-clear in Islam. The Sunni Muslims do refer
to the companions of the Holy Prophet as straightforward, virtuous and honest but not infallible.
Impeccability according to the belief of the Sunni Muslims is only attributed to Prophets and
Messenger of God Almighty.
Regarding the source of integrity and the question whether it is a Philosophical theory or rather an
Islamic fact that a host of texts has proved authentic, the answer is as follows:
A pondering and reflecting look at the Holy Qur’an and a study that Muslims render to the Book of
God and the authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is able to provide a convincing answer
to the aforementioned question. Allah, the Holy One, says in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah’s good
pleasure was on the believers when they swore Fealty to thee under the Tree: He knew what
was in their hearts, and He sent down Tranquility to them: and He rewarded them with a
speedy victory.” (48: 18)
God Almighty in the above-mentioned verse explained to His messenger and the entire believing
folk that His pleasure was on the believers, men and women, who plighted fealty to Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him). He informed his messenger furthermore that He knew what was
concealed in their hearts regarding faith in Him and truthfulness. Hence, He sent down tranquility,
peace, calm and sense of security and confidence to them. This suffices as testimony from God
Almighty regarding the veracity of the companions’ faith, their truthfulness and sincerity. It has been
proven that the messenger of God (PBUH) said: “No one among those who swore their fealty to
me under the tree will be consigned to Hell except the owner of the red camel.” (Related by
At-Tirmidhiy in “Al-Mana’qib [Virtues of the Companions], and Muslim in the same titled book)
The man who was doomed to Hell-fire according to the above-mentioned Hadith, was among the
arch-hypocrites of Madinah called Al-Jaddu bin Qais.
The number of the companions who swore their fealty to the Prophet (PBUH) was 1,400. According
to other traditions it reached 1,500. God Almighty testified to their sincere and truthfulness and
confirmed to His messenger that there was no grain of hypocrisy in their hearts except one man.
The messenger of God (PBUH) eventually revealed his name to the companions. His name was Al-
http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/integrity_companions.htm
1/28/2005