“Wilaayah” is divided into two types. The first is “Aamah” or common and the second is “Khaasah” or special. The first type is that which includes all those who possess pure faith and are included in the religion of Islam. The second type which is considered to be the special type is that which is unique to those who are especially connected to the truth.

Thereafter, in the path of “Sulook” and with Divine proximity, there are five types of Saints. They are the Nuqabah, the Nujubah, the Abdaal, the Awtaad and the Aqtaab as has been mentioned in the treatise entitled “Haawi”. Vol 2 Page 241.

Ala Hadrat, Imam Ahl As-Sunnah (Imam Ahmad Raza Khan- alaihi rahmah) has enumerated 14 stages of the Saints. They are the Suluhaa, the Saalikeen, the Qaani’een, the Waasileen, the Nujubah, the Nuqubah, the Abdaal, the Budulah, the Awtaad, the Imaamain, the Ghous, the Siddique, the Nabi, and the Rasool. The first three are those who are considered as travelling towards Allah and the balance are those who are considered as having travelled “within” [1] Almighty Allah. All of them are considered as Awliyah. (Al Malfooz. Vol 4. Page 22).

The literal meaning of the word “Wali” among others are, “Master, Chief, Senior respected person, one who is protected, a patron, a friend or someone who is loved.” In the definition of the Awliya, a Wali is considered as that person who is considered close to Allah and as possessing proximity to Allah. As-Sayed As-Shareef Ali Muhammad (alaihi rahmah) in the treatise entitled, “Tahreefaat” declares that, “The word Wali if it possesses the subjective sense, could mean “he who embodies obedience and does not obey anyone except Allah. If the objective sense is taken, then it could mean “that person who possesses the Special Infinite Mercy of Allah and His Divine Grace…”

The idea of a Wali performing a miracle (karamat) is not something which is mandatory. If a Wali performs a miracle without any valid Shariah reason, then his actual state of Sainthood could also be taken away.

Written by Al Qadi Abdur Raheem Bastawi

Source: Markazi Darul Ifta Bareilly Shareef

Footnote:

[1] The usage of the word “within” should not be taken in its literal sense. It is however, the only word that we can find which can imply absolute and total proximity (translator).