16TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: WHO ARE THE SAINTS IN ISLAM?- BY DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.

Sequel to the last edition which beared mainly on essence of Prophets and Messengers, this edition takes on the Saints (Aoliyau plural of Waliyy). This is for the basic truth that era of Prophet-hood and Messenger-hood has subsided. This does not mean works of Allah is in extinct but giving way to pseudo-prophets, super-masters and hard-task leaders of repute with tints of Prophets and Messengers. These are Saints, Aoliyau and they fix squarely in the position.

Saints linguistically portends crave for closeness to Allah through tolling the line of men of spiritual ecstacy. Technically, it is taking to the way of faith (Iman) in its essence in thoughtful speech and responsive actions. It is valuable speech with on the tongue coupled with actions emanating from mind before getting expression in the body (Aqidah T. 113). 

This invariably translate into genuine faith, establishing five times Salat daily, paying Zakat (Poor rate) whoae nisab on fiscal cash stands at N1. 6 m this year and N40, 000.00 (2 1/2%).stands payable. Sawm is the means of feeling for others in deprivation and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah) gives sense of belonging to the world market of faithful. In fact, Hajj imparts unequal sociological and spiritual ovation to a Muslim.

To be on the way of becoming Sages and Saints, these appear as virile criteria in the outset but it goes beyond that in spiritual development. To this end, thw Glorious Qur'an paint a picture of comparative of essence. Qur'an 39:9 maintains: ' Is it comparable, someone who stands (in worship) prostrating or standing at night savaging (the torment) of the Last Day and in quest of the bounteous blessing of his Lord, say: ' are those who are knowledgeable the same with the ignorant? But the indication is for none but those of intellect.

DR. R. B. BOLAWAYE

- Nigeria