Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
16. The Companions of the Prophet
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Muslims who had not seen the Prophet increased,
that alternations took place in the consultation
process.
This may appear to be a simple matter, but it is of
great significance. It shows how humble the
companions were, how aware of their own
shortcomings and limitations. Such a procedure can
be followed only by those humble enough to
acknowledge another’s worth at their own expense.
This was one unique quality of the Companions:
they looked objectively at themselves in the way
that average people would look only at others.
One must remember that the Abu Bakr and ‘Umar
of whom we speak were not the historic
personalities that we know today. It was vastly
more difficult then to recognize the worth of Abu
Bakr and ‘Umar than it is now. The two men had
then still to be appreciated when history was in its
formative stage, whereas in the present day we are
in a position to evaluate them with historical
hindsight. For the companions, they were just two
of their number; for us they have become two
mighty pillars standing out in the landscape of
