In his famous book of `Aqidah in which he reported the `Aqidah (creed) of Ahl­ul­Sunnah wal­ Jama`ah, Imam Abu Ja`far Al­Tahawi (may Allah be merciful with him) said: We love the companions of the Messenger of Allah but we do not reach excesses in our love of any of them to the extent of saying what is not true about them and we do not disavow any of them. And we hate anyone who hates them, and speaks ill of them. We do not mention except good about them. Loving them is a part of faith, belief and pure obedience. Hating them is blasphemy and hypocrisy and injustice, as it was they who transmitted Islam to later generations. Hating them all implies hatred of Islam. We confirm that the caliphate after the Prophet went to Abu Bakr Al­Sidiq (may Allah be pleased with him) in preference of him as the best among the Companions and to give him precedence over the entire Ummah (nation based on one creed). Then it went to`Umar ibn Al­Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) then to `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) then to`Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). They are the Rightly­Guided Caliphs and Imams.

A l­Imam Abu Al­Hasan Al­Ash`ari (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in His Book Al­Maqalat Fi Hikayat Madhhab Ahl­ul­Sunnah wal­Jama`ah: The essence of the people of Hadith and Ahl­ ul­Sunnah is belief in Allah, His angels, (Divine) Books, His Messengers, what is revealed by Allah, and what is reported by the reliable people from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They do not deny any of these things. They believe that Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), the Self­Sufficient, Who has never had a spouse or a son, and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, Jannah (Paradise) is true and Hell­Fire is true, the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it; and certainly, Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves.

Allah (Exalted be He) is above His Throne, as He states: The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over (Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He has two eyes, without Takyif (questioning Allah's Attributes), as He (Glorified be He) states: Floating under Our Eyes He has two hands without Takyif, as He (Glorified be He) states: What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. And: Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He has a face, as He (Exalted be He) states: And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever. Al­Ash`ari (may Allah be merciful with him) continued: "They (Ahl­ul­Sunnah wal­Jama`ah) know the right of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) whom Allah chose to be the Companions of His Prophet (peace be upon him). They remain silent regarding the disputes that arose among the Sahabah, young or old. They give precedence to Abu Bakr, then `Umar, then `Uthman, and then `Ali (may Allah be pleased with them). They acknowledge that these four are the Rightly­Guided Caliphs and the best people after the Prophet (peace be upon him).

End quote. Thus, it is known that the people of Hadith and Ahl­ul­Sunnah maintain that the first and best [after the Prophet] is Abu Bakr, then `Umar, then `Uthman, and then `Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) in superiority and the caliphate.

Sheikh Al­Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful with him) mentioned in Al­`Aqidah Al­ Wasitiyyah: "Of the fundamentals of Ahl­ul­Sunnah wal­Jama`ah is the soundness of their hearts and tongues towards the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), as Allah has described them in His statement (Glorified be He): And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful. They also accept whatever is mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah with regard to their merits and rank. He (Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah be merciful with him) also added: "They approve of the reports from

Amir Al­Mu'minin (Commander of the Believers) `Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and others that the best one of this Ummah after the Prophet is Abu Bakr then `Umar then `Uthman,

and then `Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) according to the reports. The Sahabah also gave their consensus that `Uthman is given priority over `Ali, though some of Ahl­ul­Sunnah differed concerning `Uthman and `Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) and which of them was best after agreeing on giving privilege to Abu Bakr and `Umar. Some gave privilege to `Uthman over `Ali and held him in the fourth rank; others gave privilege to `Ali. However, Ahl­ul­Sunnah settled that `Uthman should be given priority over `Ali. Nevertheless, this question of `Uthman and `Ali is not of the fundamentals that leads astray one who differs therein according to the Jumhur of Ahl­ul­Sunnah. One who deviates is whoever contradicts them with regard to the question of caliphate, since they believe that the first caliph after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is Abu Bakr, then `Umar, `Uthman, and `Ali. He who discredits the caliphate of any of them is more astray than a beast. The reports from Ahl­ul­Sunnah in this respect are numerous. We hope that what we mentioned is sufficient for the seeker of Al­Haqq (the Truth).

May Allah grant us and all Muslims understanding of Islam and aid them in holding fast to it, rectify our hearts and deeds, and guide us all to His Al­Sirat­ul­Mustaqim (the Straight Path). He is the Most Generous. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!