The Awliya' Allah (Friends of Allah)

Introduction

Awliya' Allah, or the chosen friends of Allah, are individuals who have attained spiritual enlightenment during their earthly lives. These devoted and sincere servants constantly remember Allah and dedicate themselves to inner purification through effort, self-discipline, abstinence, and prayer. They detach themselves from worldly dependencies, entrusting themselves entirely to the Creator. By seeking sustenance from unimaginable sources, they attain closeness to the Divine through continuous worship and service to humanity.

Their spiritual journey is endless, likened to a boundless sea without shores or depths, reflecting an insatiable yearning for Allah. Every part of their being is free from non-divine influences. Their hearts become like clear mirrors, reflecting the reality of things. Blessed with divine light, their judgment does not err, and they perceive everything in its true perspective. They are granted insights into the unseen, including angels, souls, divine realms, and the "Lauh al-Mahfuz" (the Preserved Tablet) in the seventh heaven, which contains records of all events from the beginning to the end of the universe. They witness the past, present, and future before them.

Quranic Reference

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

"Behold! Verily, on the friends of Allah there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
(Surah Yunus, 10:62)

Hadith Qudsi

In a Hadith Qudsi, the Prophet Muhammad narrated that Allah said:

"Whoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I have declared war against him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely grant it to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him."
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Powers Granted to the Awliya'

The Most Merciful has bestowed upon the Awliya' certain abilities. Their supplications and intentions are granted by Allah's command of "Kun Fayakun" ("Be, and it is"). There are numerous accounts of people who were declared dead being brought back to life through their prayers, as well as animals and birds being restored to life even after their bodies had decayed. Thousands have been cured of illnesses without medicine, including those who lived far away from them.

Even prophets like Isa (Jesus) and Musa (Moses) would admire their miraculous deeds. Despite their elevated status, the Awliya' are humble followers of the Prophet Muhammad. Given their spiritual perfection and enlightenment, it is surprising that some people hesitate to pay due respect to these great personalities, especially those who have been laid to rest after their earthly life. Some hold the belief that visiting the shrine of a saint amounts to the sin of shirk (associating partners with Allah).

Clarifying Misconceptions

Those who believe that prophets and saints who have passed away are gone forever and that nothing can be achieved by seeking their intercession misunderstand Islamic teachings. They may question why one should seek assistance or fulfillment of desires from anyone other than Allah, especially when they have faith that Allah is the provider of sustenance (rizq), healing (shifa), and knowledge ('ilm). While it is true that all things come from Allah, He has established means through which His blessings reach us.

Visiting the Awliya', going to their shrines (mazar or dargah), kissing their hands or feet, touching the chaddar (covering) placed on their graves, requesting their intercession for the fulfillment of wishes (murad), or seeking their help to solve problems does not constitute shirk or bid'ah (innovation in religion). It is important to remember that the saints are spiritually alive and alert, endowed with innumerable abilities by the grace of Allah, even though they have been laid to rest.

Understanding Respect and Veneration

To further clarify, consider the following questions:

a) Is it shirk to kiss the "Ghilaf" (the outer covering) of the Kaaba?

b) Is it shirk to kiss the "Hajar al-Aswad" (the Black Stone) in the Kaaba?

c) Is it shirk to kiss the Holy Quran?

d) Is it shirk to kiss the hands and feet of one's parents?

e) Is it shirk to kiss one's spouse, children, or family members?

f) Is it shirk to kiss a trophy or award?

In these instances, the act of kissing is a gesture of love, respect, and reverence, not worship. For example:

  • Ghilaf of the Kaaba: Pilgrims often touch and kiss the covering of the Kaaba during tawaf (circumambulation). The material itself is not sacred, but it covers the most sacred place in Islam, and the act symbolizes reverence for the House of Allah.

  • Hajar al-Aswad: When performing tawaf, pilgrims attempt to kiss or touch the Black Stone. As narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab, he said: "I know that you are only a stone and can neither harm nor benefit. Were it not that I had seen the Prophet kiss you, I would not have kissed you."
    (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

  • Holy Quran: Kissing the Quran is a sign of deep respect and reverence for the words of Allah. It is not the paper or ink that is venerated but the divine message contained within.

  • Kissing Family Members: Expressing affection by kissing family members is a natural act of love and respect.

  • Trophies and Awards: Athletes or recipients of honors may kiss a trophy or medal as an expression of joy and appreciation.

Similarly, showing respect to the saints by visiting their shrines, kissing the coverings, or seeking their intercession is an expression of love and reverence, not worship. It does not equate to shirk or bid'ah.

Intercession and Seeking Help

Seeking the assistance of the Awliya' is comparable to requesting help from friends, relatives, or officials in worldly matters. Just as people may file mercy petitions to heads of state or seek assistance from others while acknowledging that life and death are ultimately in Allah's hands, seeking the intercession of the saints is a means through which believers hope to gain Allah's favor.

Conclusion

Allah is the ultimate source of all blessings, and the actions of the Awliya' are manifestations of Allah's attributes channeled through them. Misconceptions about the role and status of the saints stem from a lack of understanding. The Awliya' are mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, and their significance in Islam is well-established.

Awliya' Allah in the Quran and Hadith

Some people hold erroneous views regarding the acknowledgment of the Awliya' (saints) in Islam. They may believe that Sufis and saints are baseless since there is no mention of them in the Quran and Hadith. However, Allah Almighty and His Prophet Muhammad have addressed this in the Quran and Sunnah.

Quranic References

Allah says:

"Behold! Verily, on the friends of Allah there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and are conscious of Allah."
(Surah Yunus, 10:62-63)

And:

"And their prayer at the House (Kaaba) was nothing but whistling and clapping of hands. So taste the punishment because you disbelieved."
(Surah Al-Anfal, 8:35)

But preceding this, Allah mentions:

"But why should Allah not punish them while they obstruct [people] from Al-Masjid al-Haram and they were not its guardians? Its [true] guardians are not but the righteous, but most of them do not know."
(Surah Al-Anfal, 8:34)

This indicates that the true guardians and protectors are the righteous servants of Allah.

Allah also declares:

"He has succeeded who purifies it (the soul), and he has failed who instills it with corruption."
(Surah Ash-Shams, 91:9-10)

And:

"The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart."
(Surah Ash-Shu'ara, 26:88-89)

These verses affirm the existence and significance of the Awliya' Allah.

Hadith References

Prophet Muhammad also spoke about the Awliya'. Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas narrated that the Prophet said:

"Allah supports this nation because of the weak among them: through their supplications, prayers, and sincerity."
(Sunan an-Nasa'i)

Ubada ibn as-Samit narrated that the Prophet said:

"In my nation, there are forty Abdals (substitutes), through whom the earth is preserved. It rains because of them, and they are given help."

Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet said:

"The world will not lack forty righteous people from my nation, and through them, you will be helped and provided for."

Importance of the Awliya'

All authentic principles regarding the Awliya' are found in the Quran and Hadith. Therefore, claiming that saints are baseless or not mentioned in Islamic teachings is incorrect. Allah and His beloved Prophet have explicitly defined their significance. The Awliya' are integral to Islam and serve as guiding lights for true believers.

The spiritual status of these saints is undoubtedly below that of the prophets, yet they are recognized as their true successors. Their spiritual achievements are immense and continue to inspire people. Even after centuries, they attract those seeking relief from worldly difficulties and spiritual ailments through their miraculous acts and mystical teachings.

Final Note

Understanding the role of the Awliya' Allah enriches one's faith and appreciation for the spiritual heritage of Islam. They exemplify the heights of piety and devotion achievable by sincere believers. Respecting and learning from their lives does not detract from the worship of Allah but enhances one's connection to the Divine.