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===Overview=== |
===Overview=== |
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Most Muslims regard anyone who knew or saw |
Most Muslims regard anyone who knew or saw Muhammad, believed in his teachings, and died as a Muslim to be a companion, or sahabi. Tens of thousands of companions were identified by later scholars, and their names and biographies were recorded in religious reference texts. |
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It was important to identify the companions because later scholars accepted their testimony (the [[hadith]], or traditions) as to the words and deeds of Muhammad, the occasions on which the Qur'an was revealed, and various important matters of Islamic history and practice {[[sunnah]]). The testimony of the companions, as it was passed down through chains of trusted narrators ([[isnad]]s), was the basis of the developing Islamic tradition. |
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Many traditions associated with the prophet Muhammad are attributed to the sahaba. (See [[Sunnah]] and [[Hadith]].) Contemporary Muslim movements (notably the [[Shia]] and [[Sunni]] sects, which today form the overwhelming majority of Muslims) take different scholastic approaches to the task of identifying the most credible accounts. |
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Soon after Muhammad's death the Muslim community, the [[ummah]], was riven by conflicts over leadership. Companions took sides in the conflicts -- or were forced to take sides -- and later scholars considered their allegiances in weighing their testimony. The two largest Muslim denominations, the [[Shia]] and [[Sunni]] take very different approaches in weighing the value of the companions' testimony. |
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For a list of sahaba, see [[List of companions of the prophet Muhammad]]. |
For a list of sahaba, see [[List of companions of the prophet Muhammad]]. |
Revision as of 21:49, 5 July 2005
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In Islam, the Sahaba (or Asahaaba,الصحابه;) were the companions of the prophet Muhammad.
Both forms are plural; the singular is sahaabi, which is Arabic for "friend", or "companion."
Overview
Most Muslims regard anyone who knew or saw Muhammad, believed in his teachings, and died as a Muslim to be a companion, or sahabi. Tens of thousands of companions were identified by later scholars, and their names and biographies were recorded in religious reference texts.
It was important to identify the companions because later scholars accepted their testimony (the hadith, or traditions) as to the words and deeds of Muhammad, the occasions on which the Qur'an was revealed, and various important matters of Islamic history and practice {sunnah). The testimony of the companions, as it was passed down through chains of trusted narrators (isnads), was the basis of the developing Islamic tradition.
Soon after Muhammad's death the Muslim community, the ummah, was riven by conflicts over leadership. Companions took sides in the conflicts -- or were forced to take sides -- and later scholars considered their allegiances in weighing their testimony. The two largest Muslim denominations, the Shia and Sunni take very different approaches in weighing the value of the companions' testimony.
For a list of sahaba, see List of companions of the prophet Muhammad.
See also Shia ranking of the Sahaba
Ancestors
Information on the ancestors of the sahaba can be found here: Sahaba's ancestors
Taba'een
The generation that came after the Sahaba is known as the Taba'een, or "followers".
Taba Tabe'een
The generation after the Taba'een is known as the taba Tabe'een
Other people
See also this list of non-Muslims who interacted with Muslims during Muhammad's era.