Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
16. The Companions of the Prophet
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a constructive course of action. The Companions
did not let themselves sink into the quagmire of
petty controversies. Fear of God had imbued them
with a profound sense of responsibility. They
concentrated on discharging these responsibilities,
and had no time for quarrels, which would have
prevented them from doing so. Even during the
Prophet’s lifetime, they had taken Islam to the
borders of the Arabian Peninsula. After his demise,
they continued to act as if at his behest. Blind to all
thoughts of self—aggrandisement, they dispersed
in the neighbouring lands. Their homes were just
like small schools, in which they imparted to people
knowledge of the Arabic language, the Qur’an, and
the Prophet’s
Sunnah.
In this way they passed on
what they had heard from the Prophet. This was a
time of great Islamic conquests, and a certain
portion of the Muslim community had to shoulder
the political responsibilities that came with an
expanding empire. The Companions might have
been expected to take their share in the political
glory, but they showed no inclination for such
things. The majority of them used the atmosphere
created by the conquests of Islam to further their
preaching mission. It was their, and their disciples’
