Companions = the Sahaba (may Allah be well pleased with them).
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Allah have Mercy upon him, would say,
“The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and companions, after the four caliphs – are the best of the people, and it is not permissible for anyone to speak ill of any of them, blaming them for deficiencies and shortcomings…”
—Manaqib ul-Imam Ahmad, pg. 170 and others
Imam al-Qurtubi (may Allah shower him in His mercy) said:
“The Companions, all of them are just, (they are) the Awliya’ of Allah Most High and His elite, His best creation after the Prophets and Messengers (Peace of Allah be upon them). And upon this is the agreement of the Imams of this Ummah. Except for a group, which is of the (false) opinion that the status of the Companions is similar to that of those other than them and it is necessary to look at their character (if they were just or not).”
—Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Imam al-Shafi’i (may Allah shower him in His mercy) wrote in his book al-Risala:
“The companions are superior to us in all knowledge, intelligence, faith, virtue, and every means through which knowledge or guidance is attained. Indeed, their opinion is more beneficial to us than our own is to us.”
—Al-Fatawa; vol. 4, pgs. 157-158