VIRTUES OF THE SAINTS

VIRTUES OF THE SAINTS

The virtues of the pious saints and friends of Allah have been clearly stated in The Holy Quran. Allah states:

‘They are amongst those, upon whom Allah has showered his blessings. They are Prophets, Martyrs and pious people. These are the best of companions. This is a blessing from Allah and Allah’s knowledge alone is sufficient’.

In another place it has been stated:

Listen for those who are the friends of Allah there is no fear nor should they be worried. Those people that have faith and are careful, there are glad tidings for them both in this life and the hereafter. There is no changing what Allah has decreed. In this is the greatest achievement’. (Surah Yunus)

Also addressing the Shaytaan Allah has said, ‘You have no control over my people’.

Allah also states, ‘Those that have undertaken afflictions in my path we will surely show them our path’.

With regards to the saints it has also been stated ‘Allah loves them and they love Allah’.

Also Allah says: Those people that have testified that Allah is our Lord, then they have remained steadfast upon this belief.

Angels descend upon them saying that they mustn’t be afraid nor must they worry. Listen to the glad tidings of that Paradise which has been promised to you. We are your friends in this world and the next. Everything will be provided for you. This is from the All Forgiving, Most Merciful Host’.

A great many more ayaat have been mentioned in the Quraan in relation to the lofty rank that the saints hold in the eyes of the Lord.

Countless Hadith have also been narrated on

realising the true rank of the saints: A hadith recorded by Sahih Bukhari states, it has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Blessed Prophet of Allah (SAW) said, “Allah says, those that hold enmity with my friends/saints, I inform them that they are picking a fight with me. When a person seeks nearness to me through his worship, there is no worship dearer to me than that I have made compulsory upon him. When my person remembers me constantly through non-obligatory non-obligatory prayers searching for my nearness, then I begin liking him.

When my love grows for him, I become his ears from which he hears, and his eyes with which he sees. I become his hand with which he grasps and his feet with which he walks. Whatever he asks
from me I give and from whatever he seeks refuge I give him refuge”.

In another tradition found in Sahihain, Abu Sae’ed Khudri (RA) has narrated that once a man came before Nabi (SAW) and asked, “Oh Prophet of Allah, who is the best from amongst the people?” The Prophet replied, “The best is he who gives his life and wealth in the path of Allah”. The man questioned, “Then who?” Nabi (SAW) stated further, “He who finds solitude in some cave only to worship his Lord”. In another tradition it is stated that the Prophet (SAW) said, “He who fears Allah and saves people from his own bad”

It has also been stated in Sahihain, Ibn Sa’d Saaidi says, “that a man passed by close to where Nabi (SAW) was. Nabi (SAW) asked the person seated beside him. “What can you tell about this man?” He said “He is from amongst the noble people and by Allah if he were to send a proposal for marriage it would be accepted immediately if he were to intermediate on anyone’s behalf his intermediating would be accepted such is his worthiness, at this Nabi (SAW) remained silent. Another man passed them where they were seated. Nabi (SAW) enquired enquired. “What do you see in this man?” He replied, “He is from amongst the
poor Muslims. If he were to send a proposal for marriage or mediate on anyone’s behalf neither would be accepted. People would take no notice of him. Nabi (SAW) then explained, “If the world was filled with men like he who passed by earlier, they would not be able to match the latter. He would be better than them all”.

Evidence supporting the Miracles

It is to be understood that the occurrence of miracles at the hands of the saints, by the command of Allah is not far fetched. The mind can accept it as nothing is outside the reach and commands of Allah. If He so wills anything is possible.

Evidence to support this fact is found in the Quran in numerous places.

In the incident with Maryam (A.S.) whenever Zakariya (A.S.) would enter her place of worship, he would find her surrounded by food. He questioned, “Oh Maryam, from where do you acquire all this?” She replied, “It is all from Allah. He sustains whom he wishes without any reckoning”.

On another occasion Allah had commanded Maryam (A.S) “Oh Maryam shake the branch of the tree, fresh dates will be showered upon you”.
Miracles of the Saints

Also mentioned in Surah Kahaf when Hadhrat Moosa (A..S) witnessed many a miracle at the hands of Hadhrat Khidhr (A.S.)

In the story of Hadhrat Sulayman (A.S) and Bilquees, when Aasif Ibn Barkhaya summoned the throne of Bilquees before Sulayman.

The above mentioned are some of the miracles performed by the saints of Allah, by the will of Allah and are stated clearly in the Quran.

This fact has also been endorsed in the Ahadith of the Blessed Prophet of Allah (SAW). There is the story of Hadhrat Juraij to be found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Hadhrat Juraij was only a child when questioned to name his father. He astounded the people by saying, “My fathers name is such and such”.

It has been narrated that once a man piled his possessions on to the back of a cow. The cow turned to him and spoke “I have not been created to carry loads. I was created to work in the fields”. On hearing the cow the surrounding people cried ‘Subhanallah!’ This cow speaks. When this incident was related to Nabi (SAW) he verified the story that it was correct. This hadith has also been mentioned in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.