Auliya

Auliya in Arabic means friend, helper, or protector. In Sufism, those who have reached high level of God-consciousness are called Auliya-Allah or friends of Allah. These are important people and no harm in visiting their graves and praying for them. But more often than not their graves (dargaahs) become a place to to plead and ask them for favors.

Allah in Az-Zumar verse 3 in fact uses the word "Auliya" to say that Allah should be approached directly.


LO! for Allah is the religion exclusive. And those who take patrons beside Him, saying: We Worship them not save in order that they may bring us nigh Unto God in approach - -verily Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Verily Allah guideth not him who is a liar and ingrate. [Az- Zumar : 3] Daryabadi translation.

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