Love and Praise for the Companions

It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Whoever loves Abū Bakr has upheld the religion, whoever loves ‘Umar has made the way clear, whoever loves ‘Uthmān is enlightened by the light of Allāh, and whoever loves ‘Alī has taken the firmest handhold. Whoever speaks well of the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – is clear of hypocrisy (nifāq), but whoever belittles any one of them or dislikes [any one of them] for something he did, then he is a heretic (mubtadi’), an opponent of the Sunnah and the Righteous Predecessors (the Salaf), and it is feared that none of his deeds will be raised to the heavens until he loves all of [the Companions] and his heart is clear towards them. Ibn Abī Zamanīn, Uṣūl Al-Sunnah article 189.

Ibn Abī Zamanīn, Uṣūl Al-Sunnah article 189.