Aulia (Saints) - The Chosen Friends of Allah

In the Holy Quran Sura "Yunus" Ayat 62 the verse says:-

Behold! Verily on friends of Allah, there is no fear, nor they shall grieve.

Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said in Hadith Qudsi quoted below:-

Allah has said" The most value worshiper of my bondsman, seeking my nearness, is the one I have opposed on him; and my servant continues to draws me near Me through the work of supererogation, until I love him. And when I love him, I am his ears so that he hears Me, and his eyes so that he sees Me, and his feet so he walks by Me, I am his hand so that he do work by Me. When he raises his hand in the prayers,

I grant his request, when he seeks refuge unto Me, I protect him".

The most Merciful Allah has bestowed powers in them by which whatever Aulia Akram thinks and says become " KUNFA YA KUN" ( be and it become). Hundred of people have been declared as dead have been brought to life by these Aulia Akram back to life again. Dead animal and birds has been also restored to life again although their bodies have been deteriorated since long. Thousand have been cured by them with out medicines including those living far away from them. Prophet like Hazrat Easa and Hazrat Moosa would envy their super-natural phenomena. They all are humble followers of Prophet Mohammed (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) so low before the Prophet how great would be they are. One wonder why people hesitate very much to pay due respect to these great personality, spiritually perfect and enlightened ones------the Saints, who have been laid to rest after their last breath on earth. Such people had a strong feeling that to visit the shrine of a Saint tantamount of a sin of "Shirk".

According to their belief, these Prophet & Saints who have been laid to the rest has gone forever and nothing can be achieved from them. Even their bodies have been eaten up leaving no trace behind the grave. Further they have in their minds as to why should they seek any assistance or fulfillment of their desires from them or from any one else even they have enough of faith on Allah who the giver of Raizaq (food), cure (shifa), IIlm ( knowledge). No one can deny their on Allah of getting all the things from Him,  but do they all the things from Allah. If not, then why not? Few example and conversation will convince them for change in their approach. To visit the Aulia's (saints) to go to their Mazar (Durga, Tomb, Shrines), or to kiss their hand, feet's, or their "Chaddar" covering place on their Mazar or even to their request them for grant of wishes (Murad) or to seek their help to solve the problems does amount to Shirk or Bidat. Remember that Saints are alive and alert and have innumerable powers bestowed to them to them by the Grace of Allah even though laid to rest. Similarly, It have been proved I our other articles " The prove of Aulia (Saints)". A little bit of more explanation will make people overcome the gross misunderstanding in their minds who are allergic in matter of Shirk and Bidat.

Let us start with the following question:-

• a) Is it a Shirk to kiss "Ghilaf" the outwards covering of Kaaba Sharif?  
• b) Is it a Shirk to kiss "Hajra e Aswad" a stone of Kaaba Sharif?
• c) Is it a Shirk to kiss the Holy Quran the book of Allah?
• d) Is it a Shirk to kiss Hands and Feet's of parents face?
• e) Is it a Shirk to kiss Wife, Children, Parents, Face?
• f) Is it a Shirk to kiss Trophy Cup or Award?

Now refer A) "Ghilaf of Kaaba is kissed by the visitors performing Tawaf."
Tears are visible in their eyes when they touch the Ghilaf, their lips utter prayers, their hearts throbs with emotion, through each one known that the "Ghilaf" is made of material prepared by human hands and it costs thousand of Riyals. The cost of the material has absolutely no worth before them but real philosophy behind all these kissing's is the Holy place covered with Ghilaf, through Kaaba itself is built of stone and materials.

Now refer B) "Hajra e Aswad" a stone of Kaaba Sharif and is kissed by the visitors performing Tawaf." Here is saying of Hazrat Umar (r.a.u.) is worth quotation. Addressing the "Hajra e Aswad", He said "O! Hajra e Aswad", I know thy worth is no more than a piece of stone but since the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) kissed thee it becomes binding on me to follow in his foot "steps". It has to be kissed either by lips or by show of hands in case o rush.
Now refer C) "HOLY QURAN" is printed on a piece of paper and has it outer thick cover which looks like a book but is kissed by the deepest reverence and emotion for very fact that right inside the revelation from Allah. People don’t kiss Novels and story books, through they are made of same material.

Now refer D&E) Hands, feet, faces are apparently noting but bones covered by flesh, skin and hairs, but to a kisser it has a different meaning he respect and loves those part of the body of beloved persons.

Now refer F) Apparently, Trophies are made of metals and materials and have some monetary value, but to winner of the reward it becomes priceless article. The feeling of honor, respect and enthusiasm when combined together in the mind of the recipient make him kiss the trophy.

Well to a person who have no inside knowledge of the meaning of these kissing's would thing that all these kissing's are ridiculous ceremony, but to a person with sight all such kissing's are formalities is a matter of love, sentiment, respect and honors. It is thus proved beyond doubt that such kisses do not fall in the category of Shirk or Bidah in any manner.

Likewise, kissing of feet or hand, Chaddar of Holy Saints the friends of Allah, to whom all the reverence is due, does not tantamount to Shirk or Bidat from any arguable angle Regarding request, appeal, Wishes, or desires to be granted by Saints also cannot be rightly termed as "Shirk or Bidat" for the very reason that people do request their friends relatives, parents, their bosses, government official and higher up pleading for help. Do the convinced persons not file Mercy Petition to the Head of the State to save their lives? Though the life and death is in hands of Allah? Do not the children, even the grown ups request or demand that religion so rigid that at every step they issue fatwas, especially ruling about "Shirk or Bidat". May Allah guide and make them realistic and sensible in their approach particularly in the manner of faith.

Allah is the prime source, the acts of Aulia-the enlightened Saints, are nothing the attribute of Allah channeled through them.

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Article authored by: Balkha Farooq Taji