Did I err in saying that we follow the Companions after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, citing the action of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, with the chess players, given someone's objection to a Companion issuing a ruling?

Adhering to the Prophetic methodology is impossible except by understanding the Companions and their application, for they are the only saved nation about whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "What I and my Companions are upon." The saying of a Companion is a proof if it became widespread and was not contradicted; it is considered a silent consensus. However, if it did not become widespread or had a dissenting Companion, it is not a proof but can be used for corroboration. The saying of a Companion in which there is no room for ijtihad (independent reasoning) and which has no relation to the Arabic language has the ruling of being مرفوع (traced back to the Prophet). As for playing chess, it is haram (forbidden).