are many unknown servants of Allah who have distanced themselves from creation. They live and worship in caves and faraway places. They are guided but do not guide others.

2.    There are some who guide others, invite them to righteousness, deliver speeches, and give good advice, but they not guided themselves and commit sins.

3.    The third type are those who are upon guidance and guide others. This is most superior.

The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم made dua for MuꜤāwiya رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ to be in this superior rank of guidance, so MuꜤāwiya can guide others whilst being guided already himself.^[1]

The virtues of being a guide and guided 

Dear Islamic brothers! We learnt that that he who guides others whilst adhering to guidance himself, is better than the other types of people. But what are the virtues of this rank?

Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه answers this:

This individual (he who guides others whilst being guided himself) has acquired the maꜤrifa of Allah. He has been made to know Allah’s signs by Allah Himself. Such a person’s heart contains invaluable pearls of knowledge. He judged as beloved and accepted by Allah. He is guided, given closeness to Allah, whilst his heart is opened for knowledge. He becomes a  caller to righteousness and a warner of punishments.

In other words, he becomes a true deputy of the prophets.^[2]