Walaayat and Wali-ullaah

Q. Who is a waliy?

A. A Muslim who obeys Allah and His Prophet ﷺ, devotes his time to worship, avoids sins, and loves Allah and His Prophet ﷺ more than worldly things becomes near and dear to Allah — such a person is called a waliy.

Q. How to recognize a waliy?

A. A waliy is a very pious man who devotes himself entirely to Allah’s worship, loves Allah and the Prophet ﷺ, avoids worldly gains, and always keeps his eyes on the hereafter.

Q. Can a Sahaabi be called a waliy?

A. Yes, all the companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ were awliyaa. They were in the company of the Prophet ﷺ, loved Allah and His Messenger deeply, avoided worldly desires, and obeyed Allah and the Prophet ﷺ completely.

Q. Could a Sahaabi or Waliy stand equal to a Nabiy?

A. No, never. A Sahaabi or Waliy, no matter how great, cannot be equal to a Nabiy.

Q. Could a waliy who was not a Sahaabi stand equal to, or rise above, the rank of a Sahaabi?

A. No, a Sahaabi is always more superior. A Waliy who is not a Sahaabi cannot be equal or higher than a Sahaabi.

Q. Some people go against the Sharee’ah and do not offer salaah or shave their beards but people call them Awliyaa. Is this correct?

A. No. It is completely wrong to regard such people as Awliyaa. Anyone who goes against the Sharee’ah cannot be a Waliy.

Q. Are there Awliyaa who are exempted from saying salaah or keeping fasts?

A. None is exempted from worship as long as one has sense and strength. No one is allowed to do even a single sinful thing. If someone disobeys the Sharee’ah and claims to be right, he becomes a kaafir, and a kaafir cannot be a Waliy.