Radia Allahu anhu, is used with the companions because it was mentined in the Quran that Allah was pleased with them and they were pleased with Him.

Rahimahu Allah is used with everyone else even with us as this is supplication that Allah may have mercy on him.

When refering to the sahaba we say “RadhiyAllahu ‘anhu/a”, when refering to the taabi’ee scholars we say “Rahimahullaah”, we also say “Rahmathullaahi ‘alaih” for the Imaams, then for the contemporary scholars alive, we say “Hafidahullaah” etc. Correct me if I am wrong or incomplete. Shaikh, how are we deciding or agreeing upon these different salutations? Is it a formal process like issuing a Fatwa, or otherwise?

The Companions of the Prophet | February 11, 2014 2:12 pm
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Who is the person (after the Prophets) who is the closest and most beloved to Allah, who will gain the highest ranks in Jannah? (I don’t want to know the exact person e.g. Abu Bakr, but the people e.g. the martyrs?