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The state and stages of Sainthood: by al-Qādī Abdur Rahīm Bastawī
Wilāyah is divided into two types. The first is Aamah or common and the second is Khāsah 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 Sulūk and with Divine proximity, there are five types of Saints. They are the Nuqābah, the Nujūbah, the Abdāl, the Awtād and the Aqtāb as has been mentioned in the treatise entitled Hāwi. Vol 2, Pg 241.
Ala Hadrat, the Imām of Ahl As-Sunnah (Imām Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadrī rahimaHullah) has enumerated 14 stages of the Saints. They are the Suluhā, the Sālikīn, the Qāni’tīn, the Wāsilīn, the Nujūbah, the Nuqābah, the Abdāl, the Budula’, the Awtād, the Imāmain, the Ghawth, the Siddīque, the Nabī, and the Rasūl. The first three are those who are considered as travelling towards Allāh Almighty and the rest are those who are considered as having travelled within[1] Almighty Allāh. All of them are considered as Awliyā.[2]
The literal meaning of the word Walī 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 Awliyā, a Walī is considered as that person who is considered close to Allah Almighty and as possessing proximity to Allah Almighty. As-Sayyid as-Sharīf Alī Muhammad rahimaHullah in the treatise entitled, Tahrīfāt declares that,
The word Walī if it possesses the subjective sense could mean ‘he who embodies obedience and does not obey anyone except Allah Almighty.’ If the objective sense is taken, then it could mean ‘that person who possesses the Special Infinite Mercy of Allah Almighty and His Divine Grace…’
The idea of a Walī performing a miracle (karamah) is not something which is mandatory. If a Walī performs a miracle without any valid Shari’ reason, then his state of Sainthood could also be taken away.
al-Qādī Abdur Rahīm Bastawī
Source: Markazī Darul Ifta Bareilly Sharīf
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[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).
[2] Imām Ahmad Rida’s, Al-Malfūdh, Pg 455, English Translation
www.gatewaytomadina.org
Wilāyah is divided into two types. The first is Aamah or common and the second is Khāsah 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 Sulūk and with Divine proximity, there are five types of Saints. They are the Nuqābah, the Nujūbah, the Abdāl, the Awtād and the Aqtāb as has been mentioned in the treatise entitled Hāwi. Vol 2, Pg 241.
Ala Hadrat, the Imām of Ahl As-Sunnah (Imām Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadrī rahimaHullah) has enumerated 14 stages of the Saints. They are the Suluhā, the Sālikīn, the Qāni’tīn, the Wāsilīn, the Nujūbah, the Nuqābah, the Abdāl, the Budula’, the Awtād, the Imāmain, the Ghawth, the Siddīque, the Nabī, and the Rasūl. The first three are those who are considered as travelling towards Allāh Almighty and the rest are those who are considered as having travelled within[1] Almighty Allāh. All of them are considered as Awliyā.[2]
The literal meaning of the word Walī 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 Awliyā, a Walī is considered as that person who is considered close to Allah Almighty and as possessing proximity to Allah Almighty. As-Sayyid as-Sharīf Alī Muhammad rahimaHullah in the treatise entitled, Tahrīfāt declares that,
The word Walī if it possesses the subjective sense could mean ‘he who embodies obedience and does not obey anyone except Allah Almighty.’ If the objective sense is taken, then it could mean ‘that person who possesses the Special Infinite Mercy of Allah Almighty and His Divine Grace…’
The idea of a Walī performing a miracle (karamah) is not something which is mandatory. If a Walī performs a miracle without any valid Shari’ reason, then his state of Sainthood could also be taken away.
al-Qādī Abdur Rahīm Bastawī
Source: Markazī Darul Ifta Bareilly Sharīf
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[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).
[2] Imām Ahmad Rida’s, Al-Malfūdh, Pg 455, English Translation
www.gatewaytomadina.org
