Islam and Women

Blessings of Awliya

Umm-e-Milad Attariyyah

By the grace and favour of Allah Almighty, the merciful blessings of our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are continuing through the illustrious companions, Tabi’een and Tab’ Tabi’een رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم, and then through the spiritual blessings of those nurtured by them, namely the honorable Awliya. Through the blessings of these sanctified souls, every era is blessed with the light of guidance and people are rectified both, inwardly and outwardly.

Who is a Wali?

Those accepted bondsmen of Allah Almighty who have the recognition of Allah Almighty and His attributes, who are steadfast upon the obedience and worship of Allah Almighty, and who abstain from sins. Through the mercy and grace of Allah Almighty, they are blessed with close proximity, and these very personalities are known as the Awliya Allah.^{^[1]}

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه, we have a connection and firm belief in the Awliya of Allah, and love for the Awliya of Allah is a means of attaining fortune and the pleasure of Allah. Through their blessings, Allah fulfils the needs of the people, people benefit from their supplications, supplicating through their mediation is a means of the acceptance of Du’a, acting according to their life is a way of attaining steadfastness upon the straight path, and following them is salvation. Likewise, the one who adopts the company of the honourable Awliya, even if he is evil, will become good, as it is reported:

A thief entered the home of Sayyidatuna Raabi’ah Basriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا at night. He searched the entire house but did not find anything besides an ewer. She رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا said: ‘If you are an intelligent thief, you will not leave without taking something.’ He said: ‘I did not find anything.’ She رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا said: ‘Perform Wudu with this ewer, enter the room, and offer 2 units of Salah. You will take something from here.’ He performed Wudu, and when he stood to offer Salah, Sayyidatuna Raabi’ah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا made Du’a in this way: ‘O My Lord! This man came to me but did not find anything. Now, I have made him stand in Your Majestic Court, do not deprive him of Your Divine Grace and Mercy.’ When he completed his Salah, he felt the sweetness of worship. Therefore, he remained busy in offering Salah until the last part of the night. When the time of suhoor came, she went to him and found him in the position of Sajdah.^{^[2]}

It is understood from this faith-refreshing account that how much benefit one attains through the company of the honourable Awliya, hence we should remain affiliated with the true people of Allah, study their life, attain blessings by reading their works and speeches. Sayyiduna Imam Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه has said:

‘If you wish to control your Nafs, then study the lives of those men and women who struggled, so that one’s nature becomes inclined and the passion to act accordingly is instilled.’^{^[3]}

[1] (Bunyadi ‘Aqaaid Aur Ma’mulaat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, p. 81)

[2] (Hikayatayn aur Naseehatayn, p. 305, summarised)

[3] (Ihya` Al-‘Uloom, vol. 5, p. 152)