بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Q: An author quoted Imam Adh-Dhahabi -from his book “Uncovering the Names Of The Companions- saying that Eesa the son of Mary was a companion and a prophet. Him being a companion because he met the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- and greeted him. So are all prophets that met the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- considered to have the term companion applied to them, and also the believers among the Jinn?
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al Uthaymin: I see that to be burdensome as counting Eesa the son of Mary among the companions is burdensome, due to all of the prophets seeing the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- and conveying their greetings upon him, i.e. an abundance from them saw him during the night ascension. The Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- ascended with his (actual) body and saw them factually. He spoke to them, and they to him. He greeted them and they greeted him, so do we now say that Adam is a companion? Yahya is a companion? Eesa is a companion? Musa is a companion? Ibrahim is a companion?
In addition, describing Eesa as being a prophet and messenger among those with firm resolve is more virtuous than describing him as a companion, as he is not in need of being described as a companion, and I have no idea of where such a plot has arisen. This is because it necessitates that we abandon saying Abu Bakr is the best of this nation. Undoubtedly this is beloved to the Shiite. They love that Abu Bakr is not -described as- being the best of this nation. Hence we say that the best of this nation is Abu Bakr, as for Eesa the son of Mary he is like the Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- in status/rank. Although the Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- is the best of the messengers, the rank of messenger is more superior and better than the rank of companionship.
So if we desired, we could easily say all that met the Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- during the night of ascension is a companion; however, I consider that to be excessively particular and overbearing. Ali ibn Abi Talib and others among the companions stated, “The best of this nation after its Prophet is Abu Bakr.” Ali ibn Abi Talib would address the people on the pulpit and say, “The best of this nation is Abu Bakr” likewise Ibn Umar as it is authentically relied from him that they -i.e. the companions- during the time of the Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- would choose and say, “The best of this nation is Abu Bakr.”
Source: لقاءات الباب المفتوح
Translated by Najeeb ibn Yusuf Al Anjelesi