Does cursing the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) amount to cursing the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner asks: Does cursing the Companions amount to cursing the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
There is no doubt, for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) declared them just, praised them, and forbade their cursing. Therefore, one who slanders the Companions is slandering the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because he declared them just. This is a lie against them and a betrayal of them. Thus, he contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and slanders the Messenger’s (peace and blessings be upon him) declaration of the Companions’ justice. Yes.