Translation: Kamal Ololade
And from the fundamentals of the Ahlu-s-sunnah Wal Jama'ah is the soundness of their minds and tongues toward the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as Allaah the Almighty describes them with that in His Words (translation of the meanings):
"And those who come after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and those of our brethren who have preceded is in faith, and do not allow any spite to remain in our heart towards those who believe, Our Lord! Thou art kind and Merciful. (Q 59: 10)
And they do so also in obedience to the Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - who said:
'Do not revile my companions, by He in whose Hand my soul is, if any of you is to spend the like of Uhud in gold (on the path of Allaah) it is not up to the reach of one of them or even half of it."
Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan - may Allah preserve him - said:
'From the fundamentals of the Ahlu-s-sunnah Wal Jama'ah is (the soundness of their minds) from spite, grudges and hatred and (the freedom of their tongues) from defaming, cursing and reviling (the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم) in honour of their virtues and precedence and having the exclusive honour of the companionship of the prophet and their virtues over the Ummah generally because they were the ones who received the Shari'ah from him صلى الله عليه وسلم and conveyed it to those after them; and for their Jihaad with the Prophet and support for him.'
Sharhu-l-'Aqeedah al-wasatiyyah. p.235.
