Peer O Murshid

From the point of view of the Quran, the ultimate objective of a Momin's life is the guarding of permanent values. When, however, there is a tie (or a clash) between the permanent values and his personal inclinations or interests, then he sacrifices his personal interests on the altar of permanent values… so much so that if he has to give his life while guarding some noble, permanent value, he does so without a moment's hesitation. The Holy Quran names this as a test of true Imaan. The Jews had claimed they are the beloved "Awliya" of Allah. They were told: (Such was the conduct of Bani-Israel. They merely carried the Divine Book around instead of obtaining guidance from it, and at the same time they remained under the false impression that they alone were the favourites of Allah). Tell them, "If you really are the only ones who are Allah's closest friends and favourites, then aspire to die in His cause. This would substantiate your claim » (62/6)

It should be noted that by "longing for death" is not meant the annihilation of the "Nafs" (self) which is being regarded amongst us as a sign of the "Awliya Allah". The very concept of "killing the Nafs" is non Quranic, and has been borrowed from Christian monasticism, Hindu yogis and Buddhist Nirvana. From the point of view of the Quran "longing for death" signifies fighting in the Way of Allah, doing battle for the Cause of Islam, and safeguarding the Deen by appearing against the enemy, ready to do or die. On the other hand, there are believers who have entered into a transaction with Allah, through the instrumentality of the Divine Order, Who purchases their very persons and their worldly possessions in return for the abiding blissful life of Jannat. They shall fight in the cause of Allah Almighty and slay and be slain and on the part of Allah Almighty the promise of Jannat is binding. Similar promises were also made in the Torah and the Bible and are reiterated here in the Quran. Who is better than Allah Almighty in fulfilling promises. O believers! rejoice then on the bargain effected which is a great achievement » (9:111)

O Jamat-ul-Momineen! You should not hold mutual consultations with a view to commit a crime or plan rebellion against the Divine Order. Always hold consultations for noble causes and Taqwa (guarding the Divine Laws). In short, you should always remain conscious of and guard the Divine Laws because that should be your ultimate and central point of all your efforts » (58:19)

From the above explanation it is clear that the "Awliya-Allah" are the ENTIRE Jamaa'at of Mu'mineen. To be the "Walee" of Allah is their foremost characteristic. In this Jamaa'at there is no special group of Awliya-Allah. We, however erroneously conceive that the Awliya are a special group of people whose characteristics are different from the Jamaat-e-Momineen. It is widely believed that they have the power to cause harm or grant benefits. This is why people turn to them to pray for boons, and are afraid of their displeasure. They possessed plenty of wealth and equipment, but instead of helping and protecting them, such power and strength was used to suppress the weak). The condition of those who seek protection under man-made laws, instead of those ordained by Allah, is like the parable of a spider which makes a web for itself and then traps those weaker than itself in it. However, when someone stronger comes across, its house is the frailest. Alas! We wish they knew that the power of any person (nation) who accepts the supremacy of anything other than Allah Almighty and spends his life according to self-made ideologies in lieu of Divine Laws, is no stronger than that of a cobweb » (29:41)

These are the people who believe in Allah's Laws but only so far as they relate to the physical sphere. When you ask them who controls the universe, they will say (as you do) that it is Allah Almighty (29/61-63). Then ask them: "why do you, then, look up to forces other than Allah Almighty which can not harm or benefit even themselves?" Say then: "Are the blind and the seeing alike or is darkness the same as light? (11/24, 35/19). Can those whom you have set up as peers to Allah Almighty create anything similar to what Allah Almighty has created leading you to think that they too could create as Allah Almighty does?" Allah Almighty is the Creator of everything. He is the only One possessing all powers » (13:16)

Let alone the "Awliya-Allah", in this connection, even the greatest holy personage whose status is said to be "BA'D AZ KHUDAA BUZURG TOO-EE QISSAH MUKHTA-SAR – after Allah Almighty, to cut a long story short , it is YOU who are the most exalted one", Allah Almighty says about him: O Rasool! say to them: "It is not in my power to say when this will come to pass. I have no power to amass that is beneficial even to myself or to avoid all that is hurtful. All this is determined according to Allah's law of Mukaf'at. The same law determines the term of the life of nations. When that term has to expire, none can retard or advance it by a moment
» (10:49)

It is also said (by the Peeri-Mureedi gentlemen) that they turn to and follow the "Awliya-Allah" because they will bring them (the mureeds) nearer to Allah since they themselves (the Awliya-Allah) are near to Allah. The Quran has categorically refuted this belief in the following words: Proclaim that obedience is due only to Allah's Laws. The people who leave Allah Almighty aside and take to following (worshipping) other 'protectors', in the pretext that these would help bring them close to Almighty , are in gross error. (In fact to achieve proximity to Allah, all that is needed is to follow the Code of Laws given by Him, without any intermediaries whatsoever » 5:35 & 17:57

In any case, people have adopted many different ways. Now Allah Almighty the Almighty (through this Quran) will settle all the disputed matters. (He will tell that) Whosoever attributes false things to Allah Almighty or conceals what has been revealed by Us, will never be able to reach his destination » (39:2-3)

In fact only he can find the right way who receives guidance from Allah Almighty and one who does not, he goes astray and then he can never find a friend who would point out to him the right way » (18:17)

"Walee" means one who may be obeyed, and "Murshid" is one who shows the correct path. Only Allah is the "Walee" and "Murshid" (and NO human being!) Allah is obeyed through His Book, the Holy Quran, which has been revealed for the guidance of mankind.