Aulia
A section of the
intelligentsia today is sceptical about the special
status of Saints (Aulia) in the spiritual hierarchy and
their miraculous powers, since they are also human beings
subject to all normal laws of nature. It is ludicrous to
classify "Aulia" with ordinary human beings. It is a
mockery of the conception of democracy and equality of
all before God. This erroneous conception is based upon a
misapprehension of the teachings of the Holy Koran,
sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) and even
the laws of nature.
The Holy Koran makes
frequent references to "Wali" and "Aulia"; Allah is the
"Wali" of the faithful, Allah is the "Wali" of the pious.
Only Allah and his Prophet are your "Wali". There are
many other references, "Wali" literally means a friend
but it is used only with reference to God. A "Wali"
always means a friend of God.
The Holy Prophet
describes "Aulia" as those who are pious and God-fearing,
who befriend people only for the sake of Allah and not
for the sake of family or wealth, who spend their time in
prayers, who advise people to be good, and invite people
towards the way of God.
The controversy about the
miraculous powers of the holy men is nothing new.
According to scriptures, sceptics always tried to offer
an explanation for the miracles and when they failed they
called the holy men "Magicians".
A miracle is an "event or
effect in the physical world, beyond or out of the
ordinary course of things, deviating from the known laws
of nature or transcending our knowledge of those laws and
which is therefore attributed to a super-natural force"
(Webster). Inspite of our vast knowledge of nature and
it's laws, we cannot claim our knowledge to be exhaustive
or perfect. What is strange if something happens which we
cannot explain according to the laws within our knowledge
which is after all limited and imperfect !
According to Islam
miracles are of two types. The miracles performed by the
Prophets are called "Mojiza" and those performed by the
Aulia are known as "Karamath".
The Holy Koran refers to
many miracles performed by the Prophets. Occasionally the
Prophets exhibited some powers which no other person
could claim to possess and which could not be explained
by any known laws of nature. To mention a few; the palm
of Prophet Moses used to become as bright as the Sun; his
staff on certain occasions turned into a dragon; iron
became soft in the hands of Prophet David; Prophet
Solomon could understand the language of birds and
animals; Prophet Jonam (Yunus) was alive inside a fish
for a number of days; the fire-pit turned into a garden
for Prophet Abraham; the moon split into two at a signal
from the Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him). Such
events can neither be explained or discarded lightly as
chance. It must be understood that such happenings were
not common, nor could these Prophets use these powers at
their fancy. Sometimes they were granted after the
Prophet's prayers and sometimes it was just the Will of
God. They always had a purpose. It was either to instruct
or convince or to provide relief to someone. Doubting or
denying the occurrence of a miracle altogether because it
is contrary to the known laws of nature, amounts to the
denial of the existence of God or doubting his
omnipotence. It is true that God has framed the laws of
nature and all events in nature are subject to these
laws. He is Omnipotent and can break the laws he has made
at his Will. The miracles were performed by the Prophets
according to his Will.
There are many pious men
(Aulia) who surrendered their own will completely to the
Will of God. Occasionally, only by chance, people hear or
see of their miraculous powers. Their piety brings them
so close to God that He is always ready to grant their
prayers and wishes. The Holy Koran says that God responds
when such people remember Him. No wonder if something
extra-ordinary happens when such people pray for it.
People get dejected in life after successive failures and
continuous disappointments. They feel their prayers to
God have been in vain. They beg of such pious men (Aulia)
to pray for them. These saints feel pity for these men in
distress and pray God or their relief. God provides
relief to these suffering men for the sake of his dear
ones. These sufferers are grateful to God and these
Saints for the relief and call it a miracle (Karamath).
Sceptics do not appreciate such a simple phenomena which
is common in the world. We seek introductions and
recommendations to get some favour from some one and
succeed. We do this either because we know that our own
efforts may not succeed, or because we are sure off
success at the intervention of some one. We are grateful
to the people who helped us to succeed. Yet people who go
to the saints to seek their prayers are made fun of,
called superstitious, credulous and grave worshippers.
There are innumerable instances of people wandering in
search of solutions to their problems for years, and
getting them in no time from Aulia.
Many laugh at the people
who visit the tombs of Aulia to seek their prayers and
smile at the idea of the prayers of the dead. We do not
know much about the soul and death. The Holy Koran
dissuades people from attempts to probe into the
mysteries of the Soul saying that the Soul is a business
of God and we are given very little knowledge about it.
But it is stated in clear terms that the dead continue to
live in the other world. Regarding martyrs (Shaheed) it
is stated in unambiguous terms that they are not dead and
they are fed by God. The Holy Prophet (peace be on him)
has advised people to accost the dead and buried whenever
they come across a grave. Instances of people, even
powerful kings, desperately rushing to Aulia to seek
relief, can be found in any number in any age. Some
connected with history are recorded here.
Akbar the great Mughal
had everything worldly power could secure, but there was
one thing his wise counsellors, loyal courtiers and brave
soldiers could not secure for him. Often he was gloomy
and felt his magnificent palace was dark without a son.
He was haunted by the idea that the Mughal reign would
end with him. Dejected after waiting for years, he went
to the tomb of Hazrat Shah Salim Chishthi at Fatehpur
Sikri and prayed God to bless him with a son and begged
of the Hazrat to pray for him. Soon after he was blessed
with a son. As a token of gratitude to the "Wali" he
named the child Salim who became famous in history as
Nooruddin Jahangir. Jahangir was known for his
intemperate ways in life. It was the protection of Hazrat
Shah Salim that enabled him to continue the glorious
traditions of his father. Akbar's prayers of years were
answered in no time with the intervention of Hazrat Shah
Salim. On account of this association of Jahangir with
the "Wali" sanctity is attached even to Jahangir's tomb
at Lahore and the anniversary (Urs) is celebrated every
year. Many other great kings are completely forgotten and
their magnificent tombs are dark and
neglected.
Nawab Hyder Ali of
Karnataka was known for his enterprising nature and
military skill. The way he overcame all obstacles in life
as a soldier and as a statesman was a marvel to all. He
had only one anxiety. He was without a son. At last he
went to Hazrat Teepu Mastan's tomb at Arcot and sought
his prayers for a son and he named him Tipu Sultan after
that "Wali". This son became famous in history as the
only King in India, who fought all his life against the
British, preferred death to vassalage and died fighting
in a battle field. English historians and subsequent
Indian historians following them have tried to disfigure
his image and belittle his achievements in all possible
ways. He has been painted as a tyrant and fanatic. His
tyranny was directed only against the British and was
only a retaliation of their treachery and ruthless
treatment of the Indians. Regarding his fanaticism, the
great temples at Srirangapatna, his capital, Nanjangud,
Melkote and Sringeri and numerous smaller ones are enough
to disprove this charge. He not only granted lands to
these institutions but also made it his first duty to
protect these institutions against all attacks. Many of
these temples including the great institution at Sringeri
still possess "Sanads" (Certificates) and letters which
show Sultan's love of justice and reverence for all
religious institutions. That no wide publicity is given
to these facts is altogether a different story. His tomb
at Srirangapatna is a place of pilgrimage for people of
all communities. There are many people who have seen him
proceeding towards "Sangam" (Confluence of the two
branches of the river Cauvery) and heard him reciting the
Holy Koran during nights.
Readers should not gather
the impression that the "Aulia" are approached only for
children. People rush to them in a desperate mood, when
their distress becomes unbearable and they have no hope
of relief from any quarter. It is not easy for an
ordinary man to find out such pious souls (Aulia) either
among the living or the dead.
Khaja Shamsuddin Turk of
Panipat was directed by his preceptor (Murshid) Khaja Ali
Ahmed Sabir of Klair that he should join the cavalry of
king Alauddin Khilji. Alauddin was struggling hard to
conquer the fort of Chittoor. Even a long siege showed no
signs of success. He became desperate and started
consulting the fakirs. One of them told him that he was
only wasting his time. There was a pious man in his own
forces whose prayers could immediately secure him victory
and it depended only upon his prayers. Alauddin could not
find him out and sought that fakir's help in placing that
"Wali". The fakir told him that there would be a storm
that night and all the lights in the camp would be off,
except the one in the pious man's tent. Alauddin was very
happy and waited anxiously. As predicted there was a
storm in the night and all the lights in the camp were
out except for one tent. Alauddin went there and found
Khaja Shamsuddin reciting the Holy Koran. He stood aside
respectfully. After a few minutes, Khaja Shamsuddin
raised his head and saw the king standing respectfully.
He at once understood that his secret was out. He closed
the Holy Koran, stood up and politely inquired the
purpose of the king's visit to his tent and at that hour.
Alauddin with all humility sought the Khaja's pardon
stating that he was not aware of the Khaja's greatness.
He requested Khaja's prayers for his victory. The Khaja
replied that he was an ordinary servant of his and
someone had misled him and that he was not fit for such a
pious job. Alauddin was not prepared to accept any
excuse. Khaja knew that he could not escape. Khaja agreed
to pray on certain conditions. He should be relieved, his
pay must be settled immediately and he would pray after
he was at a certain distance away from the camp. He
advised the King to attack early in the morning the next
day and assured him victory. Alauddin settled his pay
immediately and bade him good-bye. As predicted Alauddin
was victorious the next day.
These "Aulia" are just
like jewels in rags. Their appearance is deliberately
deceptive. They are interested neither in giving
publicity to their piety, nor their spiritual powers. In
fact any deliberate show of their miraculous powers is
considered a degradation in the spiritual world. When God
wills that people should know his "Aulia", someone in
distress approaches them for relief. They feel pity for
him and their prayers are immediately granted by God.
There is a sudden change in the circumstances of that
man. This change in his circumstances and his devotion
get wide publicity and there is a flood of suffering
humanity. They become famous without any effort of
theirs, and against their own wishes. They never claim
any credit for any benefit that people get through them
and attribute it all to the grace of God. These dear ones
of God are beyond the limits of time and space, life and
death. Death for them is only a release from material
bondage and a veil. Their prayers and meditations
continue even after their death. Discovering these people
is a great task. Gullible people in distress, are often
exploited by impostors and fraudulent people. That is
altogether a different story. No sphere of life is free
from this evil. [BACK
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