Ahl Al-Madhahib Wal-Ra’i have their own companions, fellow followers of their Madhahib; but who are the companions of the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith) rahimahum Allah? Al-Imam Al-Tirmithi rahimahu Allah mentions his own
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وقد ذهب قوم من أهل الكوفة إلى هذا، وأما أصحابنا فذهبوا إلى قول علي بن أبي طالب
And a group among the people of Kufah took this position, while our companions took the position of ‘Ali Bin Abi Talib
وبه يقول أصحابنا: الشافعي، وأحمد، وإسحاق
And this is the position of our companions: Al-Shafi’i, Ahmad, and Ishaq
Hadith no. 178, 186, Jami’ Al-Tirmithi