Question: What is your opinion of the book The Lives of the Companions by Kandhlawi?
Answer: “The book The Lives of the Companions has in it Ahaaadith that are authentic, Ahaadith that are weak, Ahaadith which are fabricated, and false stories. So it is not necessary to rely upon it. However, we advise (you) to read The Merits of the Companions by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah have mercy upon him). Likewise the book al-Isaabah of Hafidh Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy upon him), and al-Istee’aab of Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allah have mercy upon him). Although it was said that Ibn Abdul-Barr sometimes mentions in his book, and his book is valuable, some things which mention the faults of some Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all)”.
[http://www.muqbel.net/fatwa.php?fatwa_id=1475]
Translated by
Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
