The ruling on one who does not hold that there is a difference in rank among the Companions

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, a person does not distinguish between the Companions in rank; rather, he says that they are all equal in his view, that there is no evidence for their differing in rank, and that this matter is not among the matters of creed. What is the guidance regarding this statement?

Answer:
This is to be left alone; his words have no value because he is ignorant. He is ignorant. Allah has preferred some of the messengers over others, , so how is it not the case that some of the Companions are better than others? But as I told you, this does not imply belittling the one who is less preferred. They are all Companions, they all have the virtue of companionship, and no one who came after them is equal to them. As for the fact that some of them are better than others, that is clear from the evidence. The one who says, "I do not believe this," is ignorant, so leave him as he is.