The ruling on the attack by the enemies of religion on the Companions

Question:
The questioner says: There is a fierce attack on Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with them all). And after the incident of al-Ifk, the ruling now singles out 'A'ishah and the Mothers of the Believers.

Answer:
There is no doubt that this indicates the virtue of these Companions; they did not attack them or speak ill of them except because of what they did in supporting the religion of Allah the Exalted and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and in leading the community after the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). They did not attack them except for this reason. But they are losers, by the permission of Allah the Exalted, and they will not harm the Companions; rather, they harm themselves and open the door to their own downfall, even in the eyes of the disbelievers who encourage them. You see the disbelievers hate them, look down on them, and scorn them, but they want to use them to strike at Islam. Otherwise, they know that they are nothing and do not value them.