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= The Four Companions = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from The four companions) Jump to navigationJump to search For the 1938 German film, see The Four Companions (film). The Four Companions, also called the Four Pillars of the Sahaba is a Shiʿah term for the four Sahaba who stayed most loyal to Imam Ali (as) after the death of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad:


 * Abū Dharr al-Ghifāri
 * Ammār ibn Yāsir
 * al-Miqdad ibn Aswād al-Kindi
 * Salman al-Fārsī

Those among Prophet Muhammad's companions who were closest to both Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Imam Ali (as) were called Shiʿah of Ali "partisans of Ali" during Muhammad's lifetime, and it was for these primarily that the following hadith was said:

These companions are later referred to as "The Real Shiʿah". Abdullah ibn Abbas, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and Malik al-Ashtar were other such partisans. However, it is only The Four Companions that are believed to have attained the rank of "The Real Shiʿah" and remained so. Below are just some the contributions of the four companions to Islam, as well as their connection to the Prophet as well as Imam Ali.

 Abū Dharr al-Ghifāri 

Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari belonged to the tribe Ghifar in the Waddan Valley (a valley connecting Makkah to the outside world). Abu Dharr was known for his calmness, wisdom, and courage. He refused to participate in the foolish and corrupt religious beliefs of his tribe. While Abu Dharr was in the Waddan desert, he was informed that there is a new prophet claiming that he has messages from the heavens. Thus, Abu Dharr sent his brother Anis to Makkah to listen to what Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had to say. Anis would then return home and recite what he had heard to Abu Dharr. Anis reported that the people of Makkah thought the Prophet was a wizard or a magician, so Abu Dharr journeyed to Makkah to find out for himself. Upon His arrival to Makkah, Abu Dharr found a mosque and slept in it until Imam Ali bin Abu Taleb (as) invited him to sleep in his home. Imam Ali (as) later took Abu Dharr to meet Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Prophet welcomed Abu Dharr and invited him to Islam after reciting verses from the Quran. Shortly after, Abu Dharr pronounced the Shahadah (a pledge recited by converts of Islam), thus becoming a Muslim. Abu Dharr was then advised by the Prophet to go back to his tribe and invite his people to Islam. Abu Dharr and his family were able to convert a large number of people, and even instituted a congregational prayer. Abu Dharr made it his purpose to serve the Prophet, and invite as many people as he can to the newly found religion. Before Abu Dharr passed away, the Prophet said to him: "The earth does not carry nor the heavens cover a man more true and faithful than Abu Dharr."

 Ammār ibn Yāsir 

Ammar ibn Yasir was born into the tribe Bani Makhzum in 570 A.D. He is said to be the same age as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). For this reason, Ammar was known to be the closest companion to the prophet than all others. The noble ‘Ammar was one of the earliest members of Islam, who never failed to spread the Prophetic message with continuous jihad (sacrifice of his own comfort for that of others), perfect devotion, and permanent campaigns. Throughout his youth and adult life, he always strived to continue spreading the word of Islam with faithfulness, truthfulness and perfect sincerity. Ammar was always recognize as someone who provides guidance and stands with justice. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) tested the loyalty of Ammar at certain stages, and he always emerged successfully from the test and trial with perfect purity. Ammar ibn Yasir carried on the standard of guidance on his shoulders against "apostasy" even after the death of the Prophet. It is believed that if one fought side by side with him and lost his life he was sure that he would go to Paradise. Also, whoever fought against Ammar and was killed was sure to go to Hell. Ammar was a great contributor to Islam because he established three principles which contributed to the morality and humanity aspect of the religion. The three principles are as follows:


 * Spending at the time of need.


 * Establishment of justice in all circumstances.


 * Planning peace and security for the world.

Practicing these three habits alone do not promise one entrance into Heaven in the hereafter, but they do provide a person with guidance in becoming generous, just, and peaceful, which are all very important in the religion of Islam.

A l-Miqdad ibn Aswād al-Kindi 

Al-Miqdad was born into the Kunda tribe. However, he escaped his tribe as a young adult to the holy city of Makkah. In Makkah, Al-Miqdad met a man by the name of al-Aswad bin Abid Yaqut al-Zuhry, who acted as a fatherly figure to him. So, people called him al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad. Al-Miqdad inherited the name of his mentor after a verse from the sky came down as follows:

Call them with their fathers' names

For this reason, people called him al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad. When Al-Miqdad was twenty-four years old, he heard about Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) mission. He hurried to believe in the new religion. He kept his Islam a secret. He met Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) secretly. Thus, he was among the earlier Muslims, and shared with them their sufferings.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ordered his companions to immigrate to Madina. They immigrated one by one or group by group. On the journey, Al-Miqdad admired the Muslim young man Ali bin Abu-Talib (son-in-law to Prophet Muhammad) who sacrificed his life to save Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from polytheists' swords. Al-Miqdadi ibn Aswad al-Kindi thus became a loyal companion to Ali bin Abu-Talib after the death of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

 Salman al-Fārsī 

Salman Al-Farsi grew up as a slave boy in Persia. He was the only intermediate companion of Prophet Muhammad who was Persian. His name was actually Ruzbeh (meaning a good day). However, because Salman aided the Prophet in certain tasks such as trimming his hair and beard, the companion acquired the nickname Salmani which translates to barber. His name then evolved to Salman Al-Farsi (Al-Farsi meaning "the Persian"). Salman did much more than trim Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) beard to be considered a loyal friend. He aided the Prophet in other things such as military tactics. When Arab and Jewish tribes surrounded the small Muslim army consisting of the Prophet and his followers, Salman suggested that they dig ditches around the area which is to be defended (similar to what are now known as trenches). It was this tactful engineering that lead to the victory of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers. After the death of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Salman Al-Farsi became among the companions of Imam Ali bin Abu Taleb (as). The Prophet wished that Imam Ali (as) be his successor, and Salman Al-Farsi remained loyal to Imam Ali (as) throughout the later battles regarding this succession.

See also[edit]

 * Hadith of the pond of Khumm
 * Sulaym ibn Qays

References[edit]

 * Ahl ul-Baith
 * Al-Sayyid, Kamal. “Al-Miqdad Bin Al-Aswad.” Al-Islam.org, Ansariyan Publications, www.al-islam.org/al-miqdad-bin-al-aswad-kamal-al-sayyid/al-miqdad-bin-al-aswad.
 * Donaldson, D. (1929). SALMAN THE PERSIAN. Muslim World, 19(4), 338-352.
 * Hamid, Abdul Wahid. The Companions of the Prophet. Vol. 1, Muslim Education and Literary Services, 1995
 * Sharafuddin, Sadruddin. Ammar Ibn Yasir - A Companion of the Prophet. Islamic Seminary Publications, 2011.