Imam Rabbani Mujaddid Alf-i-Thaani Shaykh Ahmad Faruqi Sirhindi رحمه الله states,
"Know with certainty that the destruction of the company of a deviant exceeds the destruction of the company of a disbeliever. Also the worst of all deviant sects are those who bear hatred and enmity against the companions رضى الله عنهم of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.
Allah تعالى himself states in the Qur'an-e-Majeed, "So that by them (the companions), the hearts of the disbelievers burn." [48:29]
The Qur'an and Shari'at was propagated by the noble companions. If they are criticised then this necessitates criticism of the Qur'an and Shari'at. The Qur'an was compiled by Hadrat Uthman رضى الله عنه. If Uthman is criticised the Qur'an is criticised. We seek refuge in Allah سبحانه from what the zindiq (disbelievers) believe."
[Maktubat Imam Rabbani, Volume 1, Letter 54]
