The Status of the Companions and Reading Books That Insult Them

Question:
A questioner asks about expiation, saying: O Abu 'Uthman, what is your view of the one who says that the caliphate of 'Uthman was a stumbling block before him and strikes him? And do you advise divorcing one of the five companions?

Answer:
No, this is invalid speech. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) are the best of the nation, and no one hates them except a hypocrite or a disbeliever. Allah the Exalted said: . In fact, the one who hates the Companions is a disbeliever. It is not permissible to belittle them, nor to diminish their status (may Allah be pleased with them). It is not permissible to read books that contain insults toward the Companions or some of them, except for one who intends to refute them. The one who intends to refute them and dismantle the falsehood in them may read them. But a person who does not know, who does not distinguish between truth and falsehood, or between guidance and misguidance, it is not permissible for him to read such falsehood in his books, because it will make him doubt, and it may become confused for him, and he may think it is truth. And perhaps if he reads these falsehoods regarding the Companions, he will hate the Companions, be affected by them, and thus incur harm.