Is it not closer to reason that we make distinctions among the companions? Didnt the disciples of Jesus (AS) betray him (AS)? Didnt the Jews betray Musa (AS)? And so on.
Are the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) any different? Are they not humans who may err and sin? Do you not see a pattern of differentiation among all of Allahs (SWT) creation? Are all believers, whether today or in times past, of equal stature? Do we not observe that some believers are sincere and others not? Why then do the Sunnis refuse to accept this truism? Even if the Shia EXCLUDED Abu Bakr and Umar from their direct attack, the Sunnis will STILL REFUSE to acknowledge that some of the Prophets (PBUH&HF) companions were non- righteous, malicious individuals.
By Allah (SWT)! Didnt Allah (SWT) devote a WHOLE Surah (Chapter) in His (SWT) Book about the hypocrites? And doesnt Allah (SWT) say: They are in varying grades in the sight of Allah, and Allah sees well all that they do.
[3:163] Another remark, which my Sunni brothers overlooked in defense of their arguments, might be that the individuals addressed in the aforementioned verses or the Hypocrites Chapter are NOT considered companions in the sight of the Sunnis.
If my Sunni brothers should ever forward such a remark, my response would be: The definition of the word companions, according to the Sunnis, is: ANY person who has seen the Prophet (PBUH&HF) is considered a companion.
The generation that appeared AFTER the Prophets (PBUH&HF) death are called Tabi-uoon -- The Followers. As such, the above contention fails again.
Now, if my Sunni brothers suggest that the word companions ONLY addresses those sincere believers that were close to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and memorized the Quran and the hadiths, and kept constant prayer, then they have said EXACTLY what the Shia have been always trying to say: NOT ALL THE COMPANIONS WERE RIGHTEOUS.
Nonetheless, EVEN under this assertion, the Shia will refuse to admit Abu Bakr and Umar, among others, to be included among the ranks of the righteous; not after what they have done to the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF).
Suffice it to conclude with what al-Zamakhshari, the great Sunni scholar and poet, said: Doubt and conflict have abounded, each claims he is on the right path I have chosen to hold tight to (the belief that) There Is No Deity, But Allah and my love for Ahmad (Muhammad) and Ali A dog won a great reward by loving the People of the Cave (Ahl al-Kahf), how, then, can I lose anything by loving the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF)!? In conclusion, I appeal to your sense of truth and honesty to objectively study the arguments presented by the Shia.
After all we say, do you still believe that we are Kuffar? Are we asking you to blindly accept our arguments, or are we supporting our belief with unimpeachable proofs? Are we not using your OWN books as evidence? Question and ask for the truth. May Allah (SWT) forgive us our sins, and guide us to that which pleases Him (SWT).
The Enemies of Islam as Depicted in Nahjul Balagha [ Here is a general description of the enemies of Islam, as well as its true followers, and what happenned to them. ]
The sway of tyrants was long, so that their tyranny and oppression could be fully exposed and their infamy and disgrace could be disclosed.
They deserved the revolution which overtook them. They were destroyed and annihilated, and the people were rescued from calamities and destruction, were relieved of war, and bloodshed, which were brought about by the tyrants.
The pious people, who bravely passed through those days, patiently bore the suffering and gave their lives for the cause of justice and Islam.
They humbled themselves, before God, they never for a moment magnified their patience and bravery and never imagined that they were obliging God and His religion. Then God ordained that the times of trials and tribulations should come to an end.
They were given permission to defend their faith with the help of their swords and they obeyed the orders of God according to the teaching of the Holy Prophet(AS).
Things continued like that until God called the Prophet back.
Then many became apostate, or turned to heathenism, they were damned by the preversity of their minds and waywardness.
They put faith in their relatives, who were misguided, or in instigators who were heathens.
They discarded the medium (the progeny of the Prophet), whom they were ordered to love, to respect and to follow, and who would have kept them within the limits of the true religion.
Thus, they undermined the foundation of the true religion and tried to introduce heresy in Islam.
They adopted the ways of the Pharoahs and his people, were attached to worldly power and pleasures, and drifted away from true religion.
Khutba 153 O people! remember that the present time is the time when something which has been promised will happen, and events which you do not know or cannot forsee will take place.
During the days of trials and temptations, those who recognize the significance and worth of the Ahlul-Bayt will, like a person walking in the dark with a lamp in his hand, not only go safely through the times, but will be of help to others and will act like pious people.
This will free the people from oppression and tyrrany , will educate the ill-informed and ignorant, will introduce reforms into society, and will cement the gaps which wickedness and impiety may have created in the true teachings of Islam.
For some time, he (i. e. Imam Mahdi) will be hidden from the eyes of man in such a way that the greates searcher of the day will not be able to find a trace of him however he may try.
But when he will appear, he will educate mankind in such a way that human vision will expand through the teachings of the Quran, men will be able to acquire true wisdom, and their minds will be able to rise to higher planes of science and philosophy.
I strongly urge Muslims to reject any false myths about our Islamic heritage.
Many of you already know the Sunni view of history.
I stronly urge you to read the Sunni works in history such as of al-Tabari, and Syed Amir Ali, to understand the forces that shaped the Muslim world in the 1st century AH.
They are still alive and kicking today.