The Ruling on One Who Curses the Companions

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. There are many questions that have come in regarding the ruling on one who curses the Companions. Is it said that they are disbelievers? And if one curses a specific individual among the Companions, does that make him a disbeliever?

Answer:
The matter of disbelief requires a legal ruling. No one is declared a disbeliever except by appearing before the court, being questioned, and having it recorded against him; then we declare him a disbeliever. As for declaring people disbelievers, killing them, and saying these are disbelievers, this is chaos that is not permissible. Leave these matters to the scholars and to the Shari'ah courts. However, in general terms, you may say that one who curses the Companions is such-and-such, in general terms. Yes. But as for specific individuals, they must be discussed and they must be questioned. Yes.