In religious sciences, does the presentation of the كلام المتأخرين (words of later scholars) over the كلام المتقدمين (words of earlier scholars) differ from that in the physical sciences, such that the saying of a Companion in religious sciences is given precedence over the saying of a scholar today?

The Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—are the people most knowledgeable of the words of Allah and His Messenger, the most upright among the Ummah in their adherence to Allah's religion, the most profound in knowledge, the most sound in guidance, and the least pretentious. Therefore, the statement of a Companion was considered a proof by many scholars if it was not contradicted by another Companion.

Ibn Al-Qayyim described them as "the softest-hearted among the Ummah, the most profound in knowledge, the least pretentious, the most eloquent in expression, the most truthful in faith, the most sincere in counsel, and the closest to Allah in means."

Just as the Companions are the masters and imams of the Ummah, so too are they the masters of the jurists and scholars. Al-Layth narrated from Mujahid that "the scholars are the companions of Muhammad—peace be upon him," and Sa'id narrated from Qatadah regarding the interpretation of the verse: {And those who have been given knowledge see that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth} [Saba': 6]: "The companions of Muhammad—peace be upon him."