Nasb-and-the-Nawasib

Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī I narrates that Rasūl Allāh H said, “The stars
are a source of security for the sky, and when the stars disappear there
comes to the sky what it is promised (i.e. it meets its fate). I am a source
of security for my Companions, and when I will go away there will come
to my Companions what they are promised. My Companions are a source
of security for my Ummah, and when my Companions go away there will
come to my Ummah what it is promised. 1
This ḥadīth likewise discusses the merit of the Ṣaḥābah M. It states that their
presence in itself is a source of safety for the Ummah from the emergence of
innovations in Dīn and from trials and the disunity of hearts. With their absence
consequently the doors of trials will open upon the Ummah. 2
Hence the blessings of their presence amidst the next generation is just like the
blessings of his H presence amidst the Ṣaḥābah. Therefore, the contrast
between them and the rest of the Ummah in virtue is just like the contrast
between Nabī H and them.
Ḥadīth 3:
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:‏ يأتي زمان يغزو فئام من الناس
فيقال:‏ فيكم من صحب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ فيقال:‏ نعم.‏ فيفتح عليه.‏ ثم يأتي زمان فيقال:‏ فيكم
من صحب أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ فيقال:‏ نعم.‏ فيفتح.‏ ثم يأتي زمان فيقال:‏ فيكم من
صحب صاحب أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ فيقال:‏ نعم.‏ فيفتح.‏
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī I narrates the following from Nabī H, “A time
will come when group of people will fight. It will be asked, “Is there amongst
you a person who accompanied Nabī H?” It will be said, “Yes,” and
victory will be granted to him. Then a time will come and it will be asked,
1 Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: chapter regarding the virtues of the Ṣaḥābah: sub-chapter regarding the presence of
Nabī H being a source of security for his companions, and the presence of his companions being
a source of security for the Ummah: ḥadīth no. 2531.
2 Sharḥ al-Nawawī ʿalā Muslim 16/83.
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