The most common and clear definition of the companion is a one who met Prophet Muhammad (SAW), believed in him and accepted Islam and died as a Muslim. That indicates the people who were in touch with Holy prophet(SAW) when he was alive, they sat with him, saw him and believed in his Hadith. The companions of Prophet Muhammad are also called Sahabah. Those who saw Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and rejected Islam are not sahabah, they are known as the apostate. However, some scholars said that the not everyone who met Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is Companion.

Regarding the prominent qualities of sahabah who took part in the campaigns and proselytizing, the most closely associated companion of the Holy prophet were 50 to 60 during his lifetime. However, there were many other who had some contact with Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and their name and biographies were recorded in different religious reference books. According to the observation of the different authentic religious the number of the followers and companions of the Holy prophet were 2 lakhs in number, it is believed that 124000 witnessed the Farewell sermon Muhammad delivered after making his last pilgrimage to Mecca.

The two important groups among the companion are called the Muhajirun the Ansar. They are those who had complete faith in Muhammad when he began his Islamic preachings in Mecca. The second group is the group of the people who belonged to Madina and who welcomed Muhammad in the medina and stood with the prophet to support his cause as protectors, they are called the Ansaar.

Chapter 9 of the Quran (Surah Tawba), verse 100 says;

“The vanguard (of Islam)-the first of those who forsook(their homes)and those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in(all)good deeds-well pleased is ALLAH with them, as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that is the supreme felicity”.

And Allah says in the Quran about the Companions and followers of the Holy prophet in Chapter 9, verse 117.

“Allah had already forgiven the prophet and the Muhajirun and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind And Merciful”.

The people who were Muslims before victory at Mecca and went into exile and fought for God’s cause in most of the wars. They are also high in degree as compared to the normal human beings because God is pleased with their efforts in their lifetime and is going to reward Jannah to most of them. Lots of them were non-Muslim at the time of victory of Mecca, after that they accept Islam and became Muslim.