⚡ The Companions (Sahaba) — Actions, Disputes, and Muta — Quick Reference
Use this when: a Muslim invokes the Sahaba as morally exemplary figures or claims the early Islamic community was a model of purity. The sources below come from canonical collections.
7.1 — Actions and Disputes
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Sahaba argued over Muhammad's donkey's shoe smell | Bukhari 2691 |
| Sahaba prayed directly to Muhammad (supplication, not just salutations) | Riyadh al-Salihin 579 |
| Muslims were tempted by a gay imam | Bukhari 695 |
| Abu Bakr (the first Caliph) said: "Go and suck the clitoris of Al-Lat" | Bukhari 2731 |
| A man killed his slave woman for insulting Muhammad — no punishment was given | Abu Dawud 4361 |
| A Muslim stoned a fornicating she-monkey | Bukhari 3849 |
| Muslims accused Muhammad of stealing a red velvet cloth (referencing Q3:161) | Abu Dawud 3971 |
| A red velvet cloth was placed in Muhammad's grave | Muslim 967 |
| Khuzaymah's single testimony was made equivalent to two witnesses for Muhammad | Abu Dawud 3607 |
| Muslims admitted they were hungry and naked until they conquered other people's lands | Muslim 55/19 |
| "We did not eat our fill except after we conquered Khaybar" | Bukhari 64/280 |
| Abu Hurayra followed Muhammad solely to fill his belly | Bukhari 70/60 |
| The Muslim who kills a kafir has the right to strip him of his money | Muslim 32/49 |
| Sahaba washed their faces with Muhammad's spit | Bukhari 54/19 |
Note on Abu Bakr: Bukhari 2731 records Abu Bakr (the most respected Companion in Sunni Islam, the first Caliph, and Muhammad's father-in-law) using crude sexual language in a diplomatic confrontation. This is in Sahih Bukhari — not a hostile source.
7.2 — Muta (Temporary Marriage)
Muta is a contract marriage for a defined period (hours, days, weeks) in exchange for a payment. It was practised during Muhammad's lifetime. It was later prohibited by Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second Caliph) — though Shia Muslims reject this prohibition.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Muslims practised muta during Muhammad's time and after | Muslim 1405c |
| Sahaba did muta for a handful of dates and four dirhams | Muslim 1405d |
Apologetic note: Muta is essentially legalised prostitution: payment in exchange for sexual access for a defined period. The Sunni position is that Muhammad later prohibited it; the Shia position is that Umar prohibited it without authority. Both positions agree it was practised during Muhammad's lifetime by the Sahaba — the supposed exemplars of Islamic morality.