Khaberni - The Egyptian artist residing abroad, Amr Waked, sparked widespread controversy with a post about the companions and Prophet Muhammad, facing a flood of attacks and criticisms, as well as entering into a dispute with his followers.
Waked wrote on his account on the X platform: "Do you know that the companions' slaves did not search to find out that upon the death of the Prophet, peace be upon him, our lord Ali was the one who washed and buried him, and that the most famous companions, all the righteous caliphs, did not attend his burial? Imagine someone you claim to be close to you, and he is the Messenger of Allah, passes away, and instead of going to bury him, you go to quarrel over who rules after him."
Waked faced a flood of attacks after his talk, and some accused him of trying to incite sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shiites due to his post and subsequent posts.
Egyptian preacher Abdullah Rashdi commented on Amr Waked's post, saying: "In response to Mr. Amr Waked's remarks.. We love the companions because God chose them as companions for His prophet and was pleased with them, and we are not their slaves, as the Prophet of God washed some of his companions from his household and there is no fault in that legally."
He continued: "The companions attended the funeral of the Prophet of God who died on Monday and was buried on Tuesday evening. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq organized the prayer over him as reported in Al-Tirmidhi, and the companions asked Abu Bakr if we shall pray over the Messenger of God and he told them yes, people enter, they say Takbir, pray, and supplicate then they leave, and then other people enter and do the same until all people have entered."
He concluded his comment, saying: "When the Messenger of God died, Umar nearly lost his mind from the shock until Abu Bakr came to him, steadied him, and said his famous quote, ‘He who worships Muhammad, (should know) Muhammad has died, and he who worships God, (should know) God is alive and does not die.’ Can we still say after this that the companions did not attend the death and burial of the Messenger of God? Do not be deceived by the lies of those who do nothing but belittle the companions of your prophet and accuse his wives of wrongdoing."
Bloggers also attacked Amr Waked’s post, and one follower said: "You have gone too far, Amr Waked, stick to art and politics. What do you have to do with religion? And still, there is no problem speaking about religion but not to deny and belittle the most noble of God’s creation after the prophets, Muhammad the Messenger of God and those who believed with him, you see them bowing and prostrating."
While another commented: "Why like this, Mr. Amr!?! Well, ask and research and then write, but to slander the best of people after the prophets, that's madness and foolishness... it seems you followed the aforementioned Muhammad Ali."
