Chapter: On Sainthood (Wilayah)

باب فی الولایۃ — ولایت کے بارے میں

بَابٌ فِي الْوِلَايَةِ — On Divine Sainthood (Wilayah)

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ

"Allah is the Wali (Guardian, Friend) of those who believe; He brings them out from darkness into light." (Al-Baqara, 2:257). The author gives a comprehensive definition of wilayah: it means being a friend and protégé of Allah, having closeness to Him, and being under His special care and protection. Wilayah is not self-appointed; it is a gift from Allah conferred upon those who fulfil the conditions of faith, taqwa, love, and sincerity.

The author warns against misuse of the concept: some people attribute wilayah to figures purely on the basis of lineage, ethnicity, or outward signs, ignoring their inner character. The Quran's criterion is clear — only the muttaqun (the God-conscious) are the true awliya' of Allah. A wali who openly disobeys Allah and abandons His commandments cannot be a true saint.

He also addresses the question of miracles (karamat) of the saints: these are real but are not the criterion of wilayah, and should not be sought. The wali's karama is his steadfastness in the shari'ah and the beauty of his inner state, not supernatural feats. He cautions against following those who claim wilayah but whose lives contradict Islamic law.

أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ۝ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ

"Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve — those who believed and were fearing Allah." (Yunus, 10:62–63). The station of wilayah brings freedom from fear and grief in this world and the next.