- Who are the Sahaba?
The word Sahaba in Arabic means "Companion or Friend". But what are the requirements of being a Sahabi and who is really considered as a Sahabi. The scholars have a small difference in this matter, so it is best to go over them.
Sahaba according to scholars
According to Imam Bukhari a Sahabi is someone who was in the company of the Prophet. But Imam Hanbal explained this definition as someone being with the prophet for a certain amount of time, even if it was just a glance.
Ibn Al-Musayeb said it is someone who fought with the Prophet in a battle or two should be considered a Sahabi. This view is actually accepted by Imam Ghazali.
But the general consenses of the Salaf-us-Saliheen (pious predecessor) such as Ibn Kathir, Imam Bukhari, Abu Musa Al-Madani, Ibn Al-Athir and others is that merely just viewing the Prophet made them a Sahaba.
Ibn Al-Musayeb said it is someone who fought with the Prophet in a battle or two should be considered a Sahabi. This view is actually accepted by Imam Ghazali.
But the general consenses of the Salaf-us-Saliheen (pious predecessor) such as Ibn Kathir, Imam Bukhari, Abu Musa Al-Madani, Ibn Al-Athir and others is that merely just viewing the Prophet made them a Sahaba.
In Conlusion though the most accepted definition of a Sahabi is that he should have been in the company of the Prophet, accepted Islam and died as a Muslim.