Some people say, “Is the Shaykh al-Islam more knowledgeable than the Companions?” This is a true statement regarding Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
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The questioner : ... He praised Shaykh al-Islam. One of those present asked, “Is he more knowledgeable than the Companions?”
The Shaykh : In the sciences that emerged after them, he is undoubtedly more knowledgeable than they were. As for the general sciences of the Shari'ah, the jurists among the Companions were more knowledgeable than he was. But what we are saying is that every Companion—put this down, Husayn... put it here... this one is broken, put it here—but I am the one who is surprised by the exaggeration of some people who say "Whoever says that Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is Shaykh al-Islam is a disbeliever and that he is not Shaykh al-Islam", and some people say "Every one who...". I was asked about the second one, and it was said that if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had not been sent, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah would have been sent. Subhan Allah al-Azim (Glorified and Exalted is Allah the Great)! This is a great contradiction. The truth is neither this nor that. We do not doubt that Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) has a sincere standing in Islam, and that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) saved many people through him after him.
The questioner : ... We mentioned the Companions; they had knowledge, even in logical matters like enumeration and division, analysis and division, and the like...?
The Shaykh : That is, what contradicts [them]. But the later sciences that emerged after people opened up to the Greeks and others, they did not know them. If they had known them, they would undoubtedly have been more knowledgeable than Shaykh al-Islam in them. There is no doubt that they had purer minds and stronger understanding.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Then, the truth is that in my view, this question should be left alone. It should be left alone, because even if you told someone, for example, that Shaykh al-Islam is more knowledgeable about what he understood, it might contain disparagement of the Companions, or one might understand from it a belittling of the Companions. There is something of this nature... leave it. The virtue is with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and no one can equal the Companions in the field of companionship, ever.
The student: There is a statement attributed to Ibn al-Mubarak... 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz and al-Mu'awiyah... al-Mu'awiyah is better.
The Shaykh : Yes, he said "The dust of jihad in the nose of Mu'awiyah is better than 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz". In any case, these are the issues, because they do not want anyone to say this. As long as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said ... and the virtue is with Allah. Undoubtedly, Shaykh al-Islam, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and others among the imams have great virtue over the people, but it is from the favor of Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
The Shaykh : In the sciences that emerged after them, he is undoubtedly more knowledgeable than they were. As for the general sciences of the Shari'ah, the jurists among the Companions were more knowledgeable than he was. But what we are saying is that every Companion—put this down, Husayn... put it here... this one is broken, put it here—but I am the one who is surprised by the exaggeration of some people who say "Whoever says that Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is Shaykh al-Islam is a disbeliever and that he is not Shaykh al-Islam", and some people say "Every one who...". I was asked about the second one, and it was said that if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had not been sent, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah would have been sent. Subhan Allah al-Azim (Glorified and Exalted is Allah the Great)! This is a great contradiction. The truth is neither this nor that. We do not doubt that Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) has a sincere standing in Islam, and that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) saved many people through him after him.
The questioner : ... We mentioned the Companions; they had knowledge, even in logical matters like enumeration and division, analysis and division, and the like...?
The Shaykh : That is, what contradicts [them]. But the later sciences that emerged after people opened up to the Greeks and others, they did not know them. If they had known them, they would undoubtedly have been more knowledgeable than Shaykh al-Islam in them. There is no doubt that they had purer minds and stronger understanding.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Then, the truth is that in my view, this question should be left alone. It should be left alone, because even if you told someone, for example, that Shaykh al-Islam is more knowledgeable about what he understood, it might contain disparagement of the Companions, or one might understand from it a belittling of the Companions. There is something of this nature... leave it. The virtue is with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and no one can equal the Companions in the field of companionship, ever.
The student: There is a statement attributed to Ibn al-Mubarak... 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz and al-Mu'awiyah... al-Mu'awiyah is better.
The Shaykh : Yes, he said "The dust of jihad in the nose of Mu'awiyah is better than 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz". In any case, these are the issues, because they do not want anyone to say this. As long as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said