Prophet Muhammad's (peace on him) Companions &
The First Three Generations of Muslims
Prophet Muhammad peace on him, said: "The best of my nation is my generation then those who follow them and then those who follow them." (Saheeh Bukhaaree)
Ahl as-Sunnah believe that the Caliph after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is Abu Bakr; then 'Umar; then 'Uthman, then 'Ali, and that whoever contests the Caliphate of any one of these Imams is indeed more lost than an ass. Ahl as-Sunnah do not think that each of the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them) is infallible of committing grave sins or light sins, but that they are liable to commit general offenses. Nevertheless, to them belongs priority in accepting Islam and in doing good deeds which qualify them for forgiveness of what they may have committed, to the extent that their offenses are forgiven. The same offenses will not be forgiven of those who come after them because they (as-Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them) have a credit of good deeds which erase the bad deeds, a credit the generations after them do not have. It has been confirmed by the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "That they are the best of all generations," (hadith al-Bukhari and Muslim)
[Ahl as-Sunnah] urge people to mend the relations with those who have broken with them, to give to those who have deprived them, and to forgive those who have done injustice to them. They order people to keep filial piety, to be good to other relatives, to be good neighbors, to treat orphans, wayfarers and the poor kindly and to be gentle and humane to the slave. They forbid bragging, arrogance and transgression. They prevent people from feeling superior over others, rightly or wrongly. And they bid people use high manners and prohibit them from pursuing trifles. All that they say or do of the above, or of other than it, in all of it they follow the Book (The Qur'an) and the Sunnah. Their "path" is the religion of Islam, for which Allah sent Muhammad (peace be upon him). But for all this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold: "That his 'Ummah will split into seventy-three factions, all of them in Hell except one: The Jama'ah (the Community)." (Reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal) And (the Prophet) (peace be upon him) said in another hadith: "They are those who will follow what I am and what my companions are today." (at-Tirmidhi)
Abdulla Ibn Umar
The Prophet then reviewed his troops once more and it was then that he noticed in their midst the presence of eight boys who despite their age were hoping to take part in the battle. Among them were Zayd's son Usamah and Umar's son Abdullah, both only thirteen years old. The Prophet ordered them all to return home immediately. Two of the boys however demonstrated that they were able fighters and were allowed to accompany the army to the Battle of Uhu d while the others were sent back to their families.
'Abdullah bin Mas'ood
The youth had heard the news of the Prophet who had appeared among his people but he did not attach any importance to it both because of his age and because he was usually far away from Makkan society. It was his custom to leave with the flock of Uqbah early in the morning and not return until nightfall.
Abu-d Dardaa
"Your brother Abdullah ibn Rawahab visited us in your absence and did with your idols what you see." Abu-d Dardaa looked at the broken idol and was horrified. He was consumed with anger and determined to take revenge. Before long however his anger subsided and thoughts of avenging the idol disappeared. Instead he reflected on what had happened and said to himself: "If there was any good in this idol, he would have defended himself against any injury."
Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl
His father, Abu Jahl, was the foremost proponent of Shirk and one of the greatest tyrants of Makkah. Through torture, he sorely tested the faith of the early believers but they remained steadfast. He used every strategem to make them waver but they continued to affirm the truth.
The Advice of Abu Dharr al-Ghafaari
Abu Dharr al-Ghafaari is one of the most interesting personalities from among the Sahaaba. He was known for his asceticism and admonitions. It is narrated in Abu Na`im's al-Hilyah that someone asked Abu Dharr, radhiallahu `anhu, "O Abu Dharr, why do people leave your company upset every time they visit you?" He replied, "They leave upset because I admonish them against hoarding the treasures of this world."
Rumaysa bint Milhan
Even before Islam was introduced to Yathrib, Rumaysa was known for her excellent character, the power of her intellect and her independent attitude of mind.
Umm Amarah: The Prophet's Shield at Uhud
Umm 'Umara was blessed with many honours, amongst these her presence at Uhud, al-Hudaybiyya, Khaybar, the Fulfilled Umra, Hunayn, and the Battle of Yamama. But her most noble role came about during the battle of Uhud.
Utbah ibn Ghazwan
Utbah himself planned the city and built its first great masjid which was a simple enclosure, roofed over at one end and suitable for mass assemblies. From the mosque, Utbah and his men went out on military campaigns. These men eventually settled on the land and built houses. Utbah himself however did not build a house for himself but continued to live in a tent of cloth.
Abbad ibn Bishr
Late at night, the Prophet once stood up to perform the Tahajjud Prayer in Aishah's house which adjoined the masjid. He heard a voice reciting the Quran, pure and sweet and as fresh as when the angel Jibril revealed the words to him. He asked: "Aishah, is that the voice of Abbad ibn Bishr?" "Yes, O Messenger of God," replied Aishah. "O Lord, forgive him," prayed the Prophet out of love for him
Abdullah ibn Abbas
During the lifetime of the Prophet, Abdullah would not miss any of his assemblies and he would commit to memory whatever he said.
Jafar ibn Abi Talib
Beloved cousin and son in law to Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Fatimah bint Muhammad
Beloved daughter of Muhammad (saw). She is one of the worlds four Greatest Women and whom starved for three years as a young child during a banu Hashim boycott which caused her to remain in poor health for the rest of her precious life.
Aishah Bint Abi Bakr
Favorite wife of Prophet Muhammad (saw). It is through the blessing of Aishah's blessed memory that we Muslims have a large portion of knowledge in jurisprudence, hadith and more.
Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr
Sister in law to Prophet Muhammad (saw). She is one of the few Muslims whom knew of the Prophet's (saw)secret plans to leave Mecca for Medina and was very helpful to him (saw).
Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awf
This Companion was given the blessed news of entering Paradise.
Salmon Farsi
Beloved Sahaba (Companion of the Prophet (saw) peace on him). This believer was imprisoned as a slave during his quest as a truth seeker for many years and was a model of patience and persistence in the belief of One God.
An-Nuayman Ibn Amr
Beloved Companion of the Prophet whose nickname was Donkey for he made the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, laugh. This companion was well known for his tricks...
"The best words in their best order in any language cannot adequately depict the way God's Messenger (peace be upon him) looked at the dirham and dinar, wealth and property, and the world and all that it stands for. Indeed, even the disciples who had served their time at the feet of the Prophet's companions (may Allah be pleased with them) or the disciples of such disciples never regarded fortunes and treasures fit enough for the dusthole. Their pure and pious lives, their indifference to wealth and worldly possessions, the way they showered bounty on one and all and preferred others over their own selves, their contentedness with the barest minimum and their heroic selflessness and self-denial take one's breath away. One can only picture to oneself the nobleness of heart and openhanded generosity as well as self-abnegation and unearthly disposition of the great teacher who had enlarged the minds of all the later godly souls."
-IslamToday.com