What is Wilayah (Sainthood) In Islam?
Sainthood or Wilayah in Islam is a special nearness (Qurb-e-Khaas) that Allah Almighty bestows upon His chosen servants purely out of His grace and mercy.
Issue (1):
Wilayah is a bestowed (Wahbi) gift; it is not something that a person can attain by his own effort through strenuous acts. However, good deeds are generally a means of attaining this divine gift. And some receive it from the very beginning.
Issue (2):
Wilayah is not granted to the ignorant, whether one acquires outward (apparent) knowledge by study, or Allah Almighty unveils divine knowledge to him before he reaches this spiritual rank.
Belief (1):
All the saints (Awliya) of the previous nations and later ones — the Awliya of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ — are superior to all other saints. And among the Awliya of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, the greatest in divine knowledge (Ma‘rifah) and closeness to Allah Almighty (Qurb-e-Ilahi) are the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs — may Allah be pleased with them all.
Their order of superiority is the same as their order of succession:
- The highest is Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه),
- then Sayyiduna ‘Umar al-Farooq (رضي الله عنه),
- then Sayyiduna ‘Uthman Dhun-Nurayn (رضي الله عنه),
- and then Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtaza (رضي الله عنه).
Indeed, the Noble Prophet ﷺ appointed the two Shaykhs (Abu Bakr and ‘Umar) as representatives in the perfections of Prophethood, and Mawla ‘Ali as representative in the perfections of Wilayah (Sainthood).
Therefore, all saints after them received their spiritual bounty from the house of Mawla ‘Ali, and they are — and shall remain — under his spiritual benefaction and guardianship.
Belief (2):
Tariqah (the spiritual path) is not contrary to Shari‘ah; rather, it is the inner dimension of Shari‘ah.
Some ignorant pseudo-Sufis who claim, “Tariqah is different and Shari‘ah is different,” are utterly misguided.
To regard oneself as free from Shari‘ah based on this false notion is clear disbelief and heresy.
The great Imam, the Reviver of Islam and the Lover of the Prophet ﷺ, A‘la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (رحمة الله عليه) states in Fatawa Ridawiyyah:
“There is absolutely no difference among Shari‘ah, Tariqah, Haqiqah, and Ma‘rifah. Whoever claims otherwise out of ignorance is a fool, and whoever claims it knowingly is misguided and irreligious. Shari‘ah consists of the Sayings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, Tariqah consists of his Actions, Haqiqah consists of his Spiritual States, and Ma‘rifah consists of his Matchless Knowledge. May Allah send blessings upon him, his family, and his companions till eternity.”
(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 21, p. 460; also see treatise Maqal ‘Urafa bi-I‘zaaz Shara‘ wa ‘Ulama’, Vol. 21, pp. 521–568.)
Issue (3):
No matter how great a saint (Wali) becomes, he can never be exempt from the commands of the Shari‘ah.
Some ignorant people say: “The Shari‘ah is a path needed only by those who have not reached the goal; we have already reached it.”
To them, the great master of the Sufi path, Sayyid al-Ta’ifah Junayd al-Baghdadi (رضي الله عنه) said:
“They speak the truth — indeed they have reached — but where? To Hell.”
If, however, due to Majdhubiyyah (spiritual absorption), the intellect responsible for legal duties becomes void (as in fainting), then the pen of Shari‘ah is lifted from him. But know this well — such a person will never utter words opposing Shari‘ah.
In Malfuzat of A‘la Hazrat (رحمة الله عليه), it is written:
“The sign of a true Majzub is that he never opposes the Sacred Shari‘ah.”
(Malfuzat-e-A‘la Hazrat, Part 2, p. 240)
Issue (4):
Allah Almighty has granted the saints (Awliya) immense power. Among them are servants whom Allah has given authority of control and disposition (Tasarruf) — they are made masters over black and white (affairs of creation).
Shah ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Muhaddith Dehlawi (رحمة الله عليه) writes in Tafsir ‘Azizi under the verse:
{وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا اتَّسَقَ} (Surah Inshiqaq: 18):
“Among the special Awliya of Allah are those who have been made a means for the perfect training and guidance of people. Even while spiritually absorbed, they are given authority and power of control in the world. The Sufis of the ‘Uwaysiyyah’ order receive inner perfections from such saints, and those in need seek and find solutions to their difficulties through them.”
(Fath al-‘Aziz under the verse mentioned, p. 206; quoted in Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 29, pp. 103–104.)
These saints are the true deputies of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. Their powers and authorities are received through his intercession and vicegerency. Hidden sciences (‘Uloom-e-Ghaibiyyah) are revealed to them. Many of them are informed of what has happened and what will happen, and of all that is in the Preserved Tablet (Lawh-e-Mahfuz) — but all through the intermediation and grace of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. Without his mediation, no non-prophet can know the unseen.
Belief (3):
The miracles (Karamat) of the Awliya are true; whoever denies them is misguided.
Issue (5):
Bringing the dead back to life, curing the born-blind and the lepers, traveling across the earth from east to west in a single step — in short, all extraordinary acts (Khawariq al-‘Adat) — are possible for the Awliya.
Except for those miracles which are prohibited for others, such as bringing a Surah like the Qur’an, or beholding Allah Almighty in wakefulness in this world, or conversing with Him directly.
Whoever claims this for himself or for any Wali is a disbeliever.
(Manh al-Rawd al-Azhar by Qari, p. 124; Al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyyah, p. 200.)
Issue (6):
Seeking help and assistance (Istimdad wa Isti‘anat) from them is beloved and permissible. They help those who call upon them — using any lawful expression. However, to regard them as independent actors is a Wahhabi deception. A true Muslim never holds such a belief.
To misinterpret a Muslim’s act in an evil sense and condemn him is the hallmark of Wahhabism.
To seek help from the Prophet ﷺ does not mean considering him the Creator or an independent agent.
To twist this meaning and forbid such seeking of help is to deceive people and to spread confusion among Muslims.
“You have spoken the truth, O my Master! May Allah reward you on behalf of Islam and the Muslims — Ameen.”
The jurist, hadith scholar, Imam Ibn Hajar al-Makki (قدس سرہ) writes in Al-Jawhar al-Munazzam:
“Turning towards and seeking help from the Prophet ﷺ or other Prophets and saints — in the hearts of Muslims, this means nothing other than seeking their intercession and mediation. Whoever’s heart does not accept this should weep for himself. Indeed, the One truly sought for help is Allah; the Prophet ﷺ is a means and intermediary between Allah and the seeker. Allah is the One who truly grants help — by creating and bringing forth; and the Prophet ﷺ is a helper — by means and cause.”
(Al-Jawhar al-Munazzam, Chapter 7, p. 62)
Issue (7):
Visiting the shrines of the saints (Mazars) is a source of felicity and blessing for Muslims.
Issue (8):
Calling upon them from near or far is the practice of the pious predecessors (Salaf-e-Saliheen).
Issue (9):
The saints (Awliya) are alive in their graves with eternal life, and their knowledge, perception, hearing, and sight are far stronger than before.
Issue (10):
Conveying reward (Isal-e-Thawab) to them is highly blessed and recommended. Out of respect, this is commonly known as Nazar-o-Niyaz, which is not the same as a legal vow (Nazar Shari‘ah), like one made to a king. Among these, the Fatiha of the Giyarhween Shareef (11th Night) is especially full of blessings.
Issue (11):
The ‘Urs (death anniversary) of the Awliya, consisting of Qur’an recitation, Fatiha, Na‘at recitation, sermons, and Isal-e-Thawab, is a good and blessed act. As for forbidden acts (Manhiyyat-e-Shar‘iyyah), they are blameworthy in every situation, and even more so near sacred shrines.
Warning:
Since, by Allah’s grace, Muslims generally possess deep devotion for the saints and spiritual masters, considering connection with them a means of salvation in both worlds, the Wahhabis, deniers of saints, have spread deception by pretending to start “Piri-Muridi” (spiritual discipleship).
Therefore, when taking a spiritual guide (Pir), one must investigate carefully; otherwise, if he belongs to a misguided sect, one may lose even his faith.
“Many a devil appears in the form of a man, therefore one must not place one’s hand in every hand.”
Meaning: Do not take Bay‘ah (spiritual pledge) from everyone.
Conditions for a True Spiritual Guide (Pir):
Before Bay‘ah (pledge of allegiance), four conditions are obligatory:
- He must be a Sunni of correct creed.
- He must possess sufficient knowledge to extract necessary rulings from the books.
- He must not be an open sinner (Fasiq Mu‘lin).
- His spiritual chain (Silsilah) must be connected up to the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
Final Supplication:
We ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being in religion, in this world, and in the Hereafter,
and for steadfastness upon the pure Shari‘ah.
My success is only through Allah; upon Him do I rely, and to Him I turn.
May Allah’s blessings be upon His Beloved, his family, companions, his son, and his followers forever.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
FAQs About Wilayah
What is Wilayah according to Islamic theology?
Wilayah is a special closeness (Qurb-e-Khaas) to Allah that He grants to His chosen servants purely through His grace. It is not an achievement based solely on human effort, but a divine gift bestowed out of Allah’s mercy.
Is Wilayah earned through effort or granted by Allah?
Wilayah is Wahbi (gifted), not Kasbi (earned). However, righteous deeds act as a typical means through which this divine gift is bestowed. Some saints receive Wilayah from birth due to their divinely selected nature.
Can an ignorant person become a Wali (saint)?
No. Wilayah is never given to the ignorant.
A Wali must possess knowledge — either acquired through learning or divinely unveiled prior to attaining the rank.
Who are considered the greatest Awliya in all generations?
The Awliya of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ are superior to all saints before them.
Who are the greatest Awliya within the Muslim Ummah?
The highest in divine knowledge and nearness are the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs:
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
Umar al-Farooq
Uthman Dhun-Nurayn
Ali al-Murtaza
Why is Hazrat Ali called the source of Wilayah for later saints?
The Prophet ﷺ appointed:
Abu Bakr and Umar to represent the perfections of Prophethood,
Ali to represent the perfections of Wilayah.
Thus, later saints spiritually benefit from the household of Hazrat Ali, receiving divine gifts through his lineage and spiritual legacy.
Is Tariqah separate from Shari‘ah?
No. Tariqah is the inner dimension of Shari‘ah.
Claiming they are separate is an innovation, misguidance.
How does Imam Ahmad Raza explain the relationship between Shari’ah and Tariqah?
He states:
Shari‘ah = Prophet’s sayings
Tariqah = Prophet’s actions
Haqiqah = Prophet’s spiritual states
Ma‘rifah = Prophet’s unique divine knowledge
They are four expressions of one truth and cannot be separated.
Are saints above the laws of Shari‘ah?
Never. A saint, regardless of rank, cannot be excused from Shari‘ah.
What about those who say, “We have reached the goal; we do not need Shari‘ah”?
They are severely misguided.
Junayd Baghdadi said such people may indeed have “reached” — but to Hell.
Are Majzubs (spiritually absorbed individuals) excused?
If a person loses legal accountability due to Majzubiyyah (like someone unconscious), the obligations are lifted.
But such a person never opposes Shari‘ah. This is a sign of a true Majzub.
Do saints possess spiritual powers (Tasarruf)?
Yes. Allah gives certain Awliya control and authority in worldly affairs as a means of training and helping people.
How do these powers operate?
Always through the mediation of the Prophet ﷺ.
No saint has independent power.
What kind of knowledge do saints receive?
Some saints have access to:
knowledge of the past and future (Ma Kana wa Ma Yakoon),
matters written in the Preserved Tablet (Lawh-e-Mahfuz),
but all through the spiritual mediation of the Prophet ﷺ.
Are miracles of the saints real?
Yes. Denying miracles (Karamat) is misguidance.
What types of miracles are possible for saints?
Examples:
reviving the dead
curing the blind or lepers
traveling vast distances instantly
other extraordinary acts outside the normal laws of nature
What miracles are prohibited for saints?
The following are exclusive to Prophets:
Bringing a chapter like the Qur’an
Seeing Allah in wakefulness in this world
Speaking directly with Allah
Claiming these miracles for a saint results in disbelief.
Is it permissible to call upon saints for help?
Yes — it is beloved and permissible in Islam.
Do Muslims consider saints independent helpers?
No. Only Allah is the Ultimate Helper.
Saints help as means, not creators.
Misrepresenting Muslim belief is a Wahhabi distortion.
What does Imam Ibn Hajar al-Makki say about seeking help?
He states:
Turning to the Prophet ﷺ or saints means seeking their mediation
Allah is the Real Helper
The Prophet ﷺ is a means
Help comes from Allah by creation,
And from the Prophet ﷺ by means and cause
Is visiting a saint’s shrine recommended?
Yes. It is a source of blessing and felicity.
Is calling saints from far away permissible?
Yes. It is the practice of the early righteous Muslims (Salaf).
Are saints alive in their graves?
Yes — with eternal life far superior to their worldly life in hearing, seeing, knowing, and responding.
Is offering Isal-e-Thawab (sending reward) recommended?
Yes. It is a blessed and recommended act.
The famous Giyarhween Shareef is especially full of blessings.
Is celebrating Urs allowed?
Yes — Qur’an recitation, Fatiha, Na‘at, sermons, and charity are good acts.
However, prohibited acts remain condemned, especially near sacred shrines.
Why is caution needed when choosing a spiritual guide?
Because misguided groups may imitate Piri-Muridi to mislead Muslims away from Sunni beliefs.
What harm can a false guide cause?
A person might lose his faith, not just spiritual progress.
What is the warning from classical scholars?
“Many devils appear in human form; therefore, do not place your hand in just any hand.”
This means one must not take Bay‘ah from anyone without proper investigation.
What qualities must a true Pir have?
Before taking Bay‘ah, a Pir must fulfill four conditions:
Must be an authentic Sunni with the correct creed
Must be sufficiently knowledgeable in Islamic rulings
Must not be an open sinner
Must have a valid spiritual chain (Silsilah) reaching back to the Prophet ﷺ
Is Bay‘ah valid with someone who lacks these conditions?
No. It is spiritually dangerous and may even affect one’s beliefs.
I’ve shared some key foundational beliefs in Islam, with more insights coming soon. Stay connected to deepen your understanding and strengthen your faith. Missed our last post? Click the link here: Imamate In Islam (Leadership In Islam)
If you come across any mistakes or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Insha’Allah, your effort will be rewarded by Allah Almighty. Stay connected with us through our social media handles below:
