In Section 159 of Silsilat al-Dhahab (from Jami's Haft Awrang), Jami defends the Companions of the Prophet (Sahabah) and explores the nature of praise and blame. Following his defense of the Prophet's family (Ahl al-Bayt) in Section 158, Jami balances his theological stance by condemning sectarian vilification of the Companions.

The Epistemology of Praise and Blame

Jami proposes a paradoxical rule regarding social and spiritual judgment:

• Condemnation of the Ignorant is Praise: When a foolish or ignorant person (jahil) condemns a spiritually realized individual (sahib-dil), it is inwardly a form of praise.
• Praise of the Ignorant is Condemnation: Conversely, when an ignorant person praises someone of spiritual stature, it actually serves as a condemnation because praise arises from similarity and affinity (munasabah).

The Sufi Concept of Munasabah

Jami argues that praise is born of similarity; like is drawn to and commends like. Therefore, if a spir...