What is the explanation of the Hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari: "(While I was standing, behold, a group [came], and when I recognized them, a man came out from between me and them and said: 'Come.' I asked: 'Where?' He said: 'To the Fire, by Allah!' I asked: 'What is their affair?' He said: 'Indeed, they apostatized after you, turning back on their heels.' Then, behold, another group [came], and when I recognized them, a man came out from between me and them and said: 'Come.' I asked: 'Where?' He said: 'To the Fire, by Allah!' I asked: 'What is their affair?' He said: 'Indeed, they apostatized after you, turning back on their heels.' And I do not think that anyone will be saved from them except for a few, like stray camels)," and how can one refute the doubt of the Rafidah who use it as evidence for the apostasy of the Companions?

The aforementioned hadith does not indicate the apostasy of the Companions, because:

1. The hadith did not specifically mention the Companions, and everyone who belongs to the Prophet's ﷺ nation will approach the Hawd (basin), and the Prophet will recognize his nation by the signs of ablution.

2. The group that will be prevented from the Hawd is a very small number, and reality confirms that the Companions strived after the Prophet, fought the apostates, and spread Islam.

3. None of the closest Companions apostatized; rather, Allah preserved them from change. The apostasy mentioned refers to a delay in fulfilling certain rights, not an exit from the religion.

4. The verses of the Holy Quran are explicit in affirming the righteousness of the Companions, Allah's pleasure with them, and their praise, including: ﴿Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree﴾, and ﴿Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are strong against disbelievers, merciful among themselves﴾, and ﴿For the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes﴾.

5. Whoever judges the Companions to be apostates despite these explicit texts is among those who deviate, for following the ambiguous and abandoning the clear.