Foremost Imam, Abū Ḥanīfa رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, is one of them. He followed the Companions diligently, learned sacred knowledge from them, followed in their footsteps, sought guidance from their example, and dedicated his entire life to worshipping Allah and serving Islam. He always remained content with whatever Allah decreed, never complaining in any circumstance, and spent his life seeking to please Him.

اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه Allah is pleased with him and اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه he is amongst the people of Paradise. We also hope that for his sake, we sinners are forgiven.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

An important clarification

Dear Islamic brothers! We just heard verse 100 of Sūrat al-Tawba. Some may misunderstand this verse entirely. The first point to bear in mind is: not every person who saw the Companions was pious. For example, Yazīd—the accursed—was the son of a Companion and had the chance to meet the Companions. Does this imply that he too is deserving of the virtues mentioned in this verse?

To clarify: not everyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with the Companions is automatically forgiven or deserving of these virtues. Allah has set two conditions in this verse.

وَ الَّذِیْنَ اتَّبَعُوْھُمْ بِاِحْسَانٍ ۙ

and those who follow them with excellence,^[1]

Commentators of the Quran say this highlights how emptily “following”