His friend is a follower of innovation and feels some hatred towards the Sahaabah – what should he do?
Question

                I had a friend from one of the misguided sects and he used to tell me some of the stories of things that happened among the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and he used to disparage some of the Sahaabah in these stories in an indirect manner. I used to listen to him out of politeness, but in my heart I knew that he was lying. But as time went by, when I heard the names of some of the Sahaabah I would feel some resentment towards them in my heart that I did not feel before I listened to this misguided person. My question is: is there any advice that will help me regain my respect for the Sahaabah and not feel any doubts about them in my heart?.
Praise be to Allah.
    What you mention about feeling some resentment towards some 
    of the companions of the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon 
    him) is one of the effects of keeping company with this follower of 
    innovation. It indicates that the salaf were wise in warning against sitting 
    with followers of innovation and their strictness with regard to that.  

    Abu Qilaabah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Do not sit 
    with those who follow their whims and desires and do not debate with them, 
    for I cannot be sure that they will not tempt you into misguidance or 
    confuse you about the religion as they are confused. 

    Abu Ishaaq al-Hamadaani said:  The one who shows respect to 
    the follower of innovation has helped to destroy Islam. 

    Two men who were among the followers of whims and desires 
    entered upon Muhammad ibn Sireen and said: O Abu Bakr, let us talk with you. 
    He said: No. They said: Let us recite to you a verse from the Book of 
    Allaah. He said: No; either you get up and leave me or I will get up and 
    leave you. So the two men got up and left. 

    Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad said: Do not sit with a follower of 
    innovation, for I fear that the curse may descend upon you. 

    Muhammad ibn al-Nadr al-Haarithi said: The one who lends his 
    ear to a follower of bid’ah when he knows he is a follower of bid’ah will be 
    cast out from divine protection and entrusted to his own care. 

    ‘Abd al-Razzaaq al-San’aani said: Ibraaheem ibn Abi Yahya 
    said to me: I see that the Mu’talizah frequent you a great deal. I said: 
    Yes, and they say that you are one of them. He said: Why don’t you come with 
    me to this store with me so we may speak together. I said: No. He said: Why 
    not? I said: Because the heart is weak. 

    See these reports in al-Sharee’ah by al-Aajirri and 
    Usool I’tiqaad Ahl al-Sunnah by al-Laalkaa’i.

    Al-Aajirri (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his book 
    al-Sharee’ah: Chapter on shunning the followers of innovation and whims 
    and desires: everyone who adheres to what we have outlined in this book of 
    ours, which is Kitaab al-Sharee’ah, must shun all of those who follow 
    whims and desires, whether they are Khaarijis, Qadaris, Murji’is or Jahamis, 
    all those who claim to belong to the Mu’tazilah, all of the Raafidis, all of 
    the Naasibis, and all of those whom the Muslim scholars have determined and 
    proven to be followers of innovation and misguidance. He should not speak to 
    them, greet them with salaam, sit with them, pray behind them, marry from 
    them or give a female relative of his to them in marriage, enter into 
    partnerships with them, deal with them, or debate with them. Rather he 
    should ignore them. If you meet them in the street, take another route if 
    you can. If he says: Why shouldn’t I debate with them or respond to what 
    they say? The answer is If you debate with them or listen to what they say, 
    you cannot be certain that they will not affect you or deceive you with 
    their falsehood, which the shaytaan makes attractive, then you will be 
    doomed. Unless you are compelled to debate with him or establish proof 
    against him in the presence of the ruler etc. But apart from that, do not do 
    it. What I have mentioned to you is based on the views of earlier Muslim 
    scholars, and is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah 
     (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). End quote. 

    Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Most of the 
    imams of the salaf warned against (mixing or dealing with these people), and 
    they thought that hearts were weak and susceptible to doubts. End quote from
    Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’ (7/261). 

    What has happened to you is because of your negligence and 
    carelessness in sitting with this follower of innovation, until your heart 
    was poisoned against the best of creation after the Prophets. They are the 
    people whom Allaah chose to accompany His Prophet and support His religion, 
    and when the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died 
    he was pleased with them, so no one would cast aspersions upon them except 
    one who is doomed and deprived of mercy. 

    Al-Tabaraani narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased 
    with him) that the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 
    said: “Whoever reviles my companions, upon him be the curse of Allaah, the 
    angels and all the people.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Silsilat 
    al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah (2340). 

    As for the way to reform your heart, it is by repenting to 
    Allaah and by turning to the Qur’aan and Sunnah and books of seerah, where 
    you will see how Allaah praised the companions of His Prophet  (peace 
    and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and you will learn how they sacrificed 
    themselves and their wealth so that this great religion could reach us. 

    Perhaps if you turn to Kitaab Fadaa’il al-Sahaabah 
    (the Book of the Virtues of the Sahaabah) in Saheeh Muslim or other 
    books of Sunnah, your love and respect for the companions of your Messenger 
     (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will increase.  

    Among the brief and comprehensive books that we advise you to 
    read is al-Saheeh al-Musnad min Fadaa’il al-Sahaabah by Shaykh 
    Mustafa al-‘Adawi, and Suwar min Hayaat al-Sahaabah by Prof. ‘Abd 
    al-Rahmaan Ra’fat al-Basha. 

    You should understand that most of what the people of 
    innovation say about the Sahaabah is lies and fabrications, that result from 
    their loathsome fanaticism, blind hatred and sick hearts, which caused them 
    to think that the Sahaabah were people who fought one another for worldly 
    gain, for which they plotted and schemed and conspired. But as it was said 
    long ago, everyone sees through the lens of his own nature. Their hearts 
    were filled with hatred and desire for worldly gains, so they thought that 
    the Sahaabah were like them, but in fact the Sahaabah were a unique 
    generation and an elite, because they were the product of a great “school” 
    and excellent education, the blessed company of the Prophet  (peace and 
    blessings of Allaah be upon him), as they acquired knowledge and morals at 
    the hand of the noblest of creation  (peace and blessings of Allaah be 
    upon him). 

    You should note that any attack against these Sahaabah is an 
    attack against their Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon 
    him) who chose them, brought them close to him, and was related to some of 
    them by marriage. Indeed, it is an attack against Allaah, may He be exalted, 
    Who chose these people to be the companions of His Prophet, the bearers of 
    His religion, and the scribes of His Revelation. 

    We ask Allaah to open your heart, purify your heart, and fill 
    it with love for His religion, His Book, His Prophet and his companions. 

    And Allaah knows best.