Can the Sahabah be compared with the Ahle Bait (a.s.)?

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The Muslim majority in their obsession with the Sahabah (companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)) cross all limits by placing them on a higher pedestal than even the infallible Ahle Bait (a.s.).

Are they correct in giving Sahabah so much importance while the Ahle Bait (a.s.) are present in the Muslim nation?

One definitive report on the subject makes it clear.

Abbad Ibn Sohaib narrates:
I requested Imam Jafar Ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (a.s.) – Inform me about Abu Zarr (r.a.) – is he superior or you, Ahle Bait (a.s.)?

Imam (a.s.): How many months are there in the year?

I said: Twelve months.

Imam (a.s.): How many are sacred?

I said: Four.

Imam (a.s.): Is the Month of Ramazan from the sacred months?

I said: No.

Imam (a.s.): Is the Month of Ramazan superior or the sacred months?

I said: Certainly, the Month of Ramazan.

Imam (a.s.): We are the Ahle Bait (a.s.), no one can be compared with us. Abu Zarr (r.a.) was among companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and when they mentioned the merits of this community, Abu Zarr (r.a.) said: The most superior of this nation is Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), and he (a.s.) is the distributor of the Paradise and the Fire, and he is the foremost witness (Siddeeq) of this community, and its differentiator between truth and falsehood (Farooq), and the divine authority (Hujjat) upon it.

There did not remain anyone from the group except he turned his face away from Abu Zarr (r.a.) and rejected his word (about Ali) and belied him.

Abu Amama al-Bahili went from their midst to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and informed him (s.a.w.a.) about the words of Abu Zarr (r.a.) and their turning away from him and belying him for it.

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed: Neither has the green (sky) shaded nor has the dust (earth) carried anyone with a tongue more truthful than that of Abu Zarr (r.a.) from among all of you, O Abu Amama!

  • Elal al-Sharae v 1 p 177-178
  • Behar al-Anwar v 22 p 406

Clearly, Sahabah like Abu Zarr (r.a.), Salman al-Muhammadi (r.a.), Miqdad (r.a.), Ammar (r.a.) enjoy high ranks and are deeply respected by the Muslim nation. But they can never be compared to the infallible Ahle Bait (a.s.), who stand out like the Month of Ramazan among all months including the Sacred Months. Then where is the question of lesser companions and wives of Prophet (s.a.w.a.) outranking the Ahle Bait (a.s.) in virtue and leadership.

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