Blindspot!
From Issue: 773 [Read full issue]
Four Stations
[... continued from previous issue]
2. Awliyaullah
The word ‘Awliya’ is plural of ‘wali,’ which means protector, guardian, supporter, and friend. In the Quran the derivatives of the word ‘wali’ is used for both Allah and His creation. The word ‘wali’ when used as an attribute of Allah usually means protector, guardian: “Allah is the protector and guardian of those who believe” [Al-Baqara 2:257]. The same word when used in reference to humans usually refer to close friends: ‘Know that the friends of Allah need not worry or be afraid” [Al-Yunus 10:62].
One may wonder what is the difference between an abd of Allah and a wali of Allah. Allah explains the progression in a beautiful hadith Qudsi that when Allah’s servants and admirers go beyond obeying all the commands of Allah and strive to get closer to Him through supererogatory acts then they become his friends and reach the station of Awliyaullah; consequently their ears, eyes, hands, and feet only do what Allah is pleased with [Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #509]. They don’t do anything that is against the wish of Allah. They are indeed the true Ibadullah and only those who have reached the level of Ibadullah in every aspect of their lives can reach the station of Awliyaullah.
Those who do not feel any urge to enjoin what is good and stand up against what is evil in their societies through establishing a system of governance in light of the guidance from Allah cannot be the wali of Allah just through prayers, fasting and remembrance. This is evident from the hadith where Jibreel was commanded to destroy a city because of their disobedience and evildoing. When Jibreel inquired about a person living in that city that he thought never disobeyed Allah, Allah responded by saying, “Destroy him as well, because he was not offended by their evildoing.” [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Bahaiqi]
True remembrance of Allah is to always be active in serving the wishes of Allah and feel the urge to improve the condition of the society one lives in according to the guidance of Allah. When we do that and reach a state whereby all of our limbs act in accordance with Allah’s command only then we have truly reached the station of Awliyaullah.
[to be continued]
Compiled From:
“Four Stations of Believers” - Ghulam Azam