Wilayat (Sainthood) is a very special rank and position of acceptance given by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to His beloved servants. A Wali is a pious Muslim who attains this position of wilayat. Wilayat is deduced from the root word “Wila”, which means closeness. Some attain this position due to their sincere devotion and worship. Some attain this position from birth, but ultimately, it depends on Allah’s mercy and kindness. Wilayat is a shadow of Nabuwat (Prophethood). A Wali, no matter how great his status, cannot reach the status of a Prophet or a Sahaabi (companions of the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam).
The following narration explains the status of the Awliya:
Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu ta’ala Anhu) said:
“I heard the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam) saying that there will be certain worshippers of Allah who will not be Prophets, nor martyrs, but the Prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Judgement.”
The Companions then asked, “O Prophet of Allah, who are these people?”
Then the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam) explained to them the qualities of the Awliya. The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam) read to them the verse:
“Beware, verily on the friends of Allah, there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
(Surah Yunus, Verse 62)
There are two types of Wilayat:
1) Wilayat-e-Amma (general closeness to Allah) – This is the closeness of Allah to every believer, as Allah declares in the Qur’an al-Kareem:
“We are closer to him, than his own jugular vein.”
(Surah Al-Kaaf, Verse 16)
2) Wilayat-e-Khaas (special closeness to Allah) – This closeness is exclusive to the Awliya. This is a speciality of those who have traveled on the path of Tasawwuf, and attained nearness to Allah. This is declared in a Hadith-e-Quddsi, where Allah says to the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam), “Among the things that bring My servant close to Me, the ones I love best, are the things that I have made fard (compulsory). When My servant does nafil ibaadat (optional prayer), he gets very close to Me. So much so, that I love him very much. When I love Him, I become his hearing ear, seeing eye, holding hand, and walking foot. I give him whatever he wishes. When he invokes Me for help, I protect him.”