The first group that was nurtured by the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), had important characteristics that enabled it to proceed at a steady pace towards the formation of the Muslim personality that establishes an Islamic state and produces an ideal civilization. Among the most prominent characteristics are:
1- Full compliance with revelation and not putting themselves forward before it
Complete and sound understanding of beliefs, laws and manners could only be achieved through revelation - the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Adhering to the Sharee‘ah is proof of the methodology of the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed the favor of sound faith. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And among those We created is a community which guides by truth and thereby establishes justice.} [Quran 7:181]
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were the finest when it came to benefiting from evidences and revelation and submitting to them. This was because of many reasons, such as:
§ The uprightness of their hearts and their freedom from any inclination or desire that would contradict Islamic texts, as well as their complete readiness to accept what the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said and submit fully without hesitation, discomfort or abstention.
§ Witnessing the legislation and the revelation in addition to accompanying the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Thus, they were the most knowledgeable people about the circumstances of the revealed texts. Knowing the circumstances of an incident or a text is one of the most important reasons for understanding it.
§ The texts, either the Quran or Sunnah, were mostly connected to reasons that pertained to them, either individually or collectively. Thus, these texts were addressing them directly and affected them greatly as they dealt with real incidents and occurred immediately after the incidents when the souls were still affected and ready to receive the order and respond to it. According to Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, whenever they heard someone saying, “The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said…”, they would direct their eyes towards him and pay great attention to what he said.
2- Being deeply and emotionally affected by the revelation and faith:
The Companions never dealt with sound knowledge as abstract practical facts that are only dealt with by the mind, without being connected to the heart and body. Rather, their knowledge of Allah, His Attributes, Names and Actions, brought about the love of Allah in them, the desire to meet Him and the joy of looking at His Honored Face in Paradise. This also granted them the ability to glorify Allah The Almighty, fear Him, be aware of His punishment and revenge, and hope for what He has and for His Paradise and satisfaction. They were thinking well of Allah The Almighty so, they knew Him and believed in Him. These poignant meanings are the great purpose of gaining knowledge and if they are lost, no knowledge would be useful and would rather become harmful sooner or later.
The Companions were warriors in the morning and worshippers at night. Their knowledge, faith and submissiveness did not prevent them from managing their worldly affairs such as buying, selling, farming, marrying, carrying out their responsibilities towards their families and children, and anything else they needed.
