Question :

When we tell to follow the understanding of the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم some people show the mistakes the Sahaba commited in order to argue that we cannot follow their understanding of the Deen . How to refute this doubt ?

Answer :

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

The response to that is very simple , easy and clear which is : We have to follow the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم in only those things they were right in them and not in the mistake of any one of them. And you must know and believe that making excuses for the mistake of any Sahabi is necessary because they had the purest of hearts and the best of intentions . Also you should know that the distinction between those things they were right in it and some of the mistakes they committed individually is clear to everyone who seeks knowledge in such matters . Therefore , we say it is not permissible for anyone to follow any one's mistake whatsoever .

If someone asks did the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم commit mistakes ?

The answer is yes , as individuals . Because they are human beings too and that is why they used to correct each other and advise each other. However they are the most knowledgeable of this Ummah after the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and they were the closest to him and that is why they knew his Sunnah more than anyone else who came after them . That is why Allah عز وجل said :

({ وَمَن یُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَیَّنَ لَهُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَیَتَّبِعۡ غَیۡرَ سَبِیلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصۡلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَۖ وَسَاۤءَتۡ مَصِیرًا }

And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination [ 4 : 115 ]

No doubt that the believers mentioned in this verse are absolutely the Sahaba since they were the believers at the time of revelation of the Quran however this also includes those who follow them as well .

And from a practical and application point of view it is obligatory upon the Muslims to follow the Companions رضي الله عنهم in two types of matters

1. Those matters regarding which the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم agreed upon . These are the matters of consensus i.e Ijmaa .
2. Those matters in which a statement or opinion became popular among them and it was not known that any Sahabi opposed or differed regarding it .

But if a disagreement occurred between the Sahaba regarding a matter then it becomes a matter of Khilaaf (differing) and it is upon us to refer to the Quran and the Sunnah in order to know which of those different opinions is right and we should take the right opinion and make excuses for those Sahaba who held a different opinion.

And Allah عز وجل knows best .