The Prophet (s) cited the existence of twelve hypocrites in the shape of the Sahaba We read in Sahih Muslim, Book 038, Number 6688: Qais reported: I said to ‘Ammar: What is your opinion about that which you have done in case (of your siding with Hadrat ‘Ali)? Is it your personal opinion or something you got from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)? ‘Ammar said: We have got nothing from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) which people at large did not get, but Hudhaifa told me that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) had especially told him amongst his Companions, that there would be twelve hypocrites out of whom eight would not get into Paradise, until a camel would be able to pass through the needle hole. The ulcer would be itself sufficient (to kill) eight. So far as four are concerned, I do not remember what Shu’ba said about them. Comment Nawasib vigorously argue that there is a distinction between a Sahabi and a Munafiq. They insist that Sahaba are believers and Munafiqeen are not, that is the end of the matter. We suggest that they mull over the testimony of Ammar (ra) who said: ‘Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) had especially told him amongst his Companions, that there would be twelve hypocrites’. As we can see hypocrites were placed within the same category as the Sahaba. This reference proves that not all those that sat in the midst of the Prophet (s) were true believers. They may all have been Sahaba due to their sitting in the company of the Prophet, but this included believers and hypocrites, twelve of whom the Prophet (s) made a special reference to. When the Prophet (s) refers to hypocrites as Companions what is the legal basis upon which these Nawasib assert that all the Sahaba were believers and should be afforded respect? The fact is there existed in the midst of the Prophet (s) individuals who were prima facie Sahaba as they sat in the midst of Rasulullah (s) but their hearts were not pure they were not true believers, we for example know that Hudhayfa had the moniker “the possessor of the secret of the Prophet (s)” since he knew the identities of those hypocrites who whilst outwardly Muslims that sat in the presence of the Prophet, tried to assassinate him upon his return from Tabuk. People had assumed they were Sahaba, and indeed continued to so, such was the uncertainly over who these persons that Umar would revert to Hudhayfa before offering funeral prayers. Ibn Imad al-Hanbali in his book ‘Shadraat al-Dhahab fi Akhbaar min Dhahab’ Volume 1 page 209: وتوفي في تلك السنة حذيفة بن اليمان العبسي صاحب السر المكنون في تمييز المنافقين ولذلك كان عمر لا يصلي على ميت حتى يصلي عليه حذيفة يحشى أن يكون من المنافقين In that year Hudhayfa bin al-Yamaan al-Absi died, the one who had the ability to distinguish the hypocrites, which is hence why Umar would not offer his prayers over the deceased until Hudhayfa prayed over him as he was fearful that the deceased might be a hypocrite. Shadraat al-Dhahab, Volume 1 page 209
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 20:26:14 +0000
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