The Impact of Diminishing the Companions on the Status of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

Question:
He says: May Allah prolong your life in His obedience. Does diminishing the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) amount to diminishing the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
There is no doubt that one who hates the Companions is one who hates the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), for he does not hate them except because they are the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Otherwise, on what basis does he hate them? On what basis does he hate them? Did they anger him or take something from him? Did they have loans between them? He does not oppose them except because they supported the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and spread his religion. And the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed to love them and not to insult them. So there is no doubt that he is one who diminishes the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).