36. Allah says: "Those from among the Muhajireen and Ansar who were the first and the foremost (leaders and pioneers*) in accepting the faith of Islam, and who had followed their noble example**, are the ones with whom Allah is well-pleased and who are pleased with Him. He hath prepared for them gardens wherein rivers flow, to abide therein forever. This indeed is a high state of bliss (to achieve)" (S. 9 : 100 SAL).

* This expression is used by AMD. **Ihsan has, however, been translated as noble example, goodness, good deeds, and well doing, et cetra.

37. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said that, in his umma (community of followers), there would be forty persons with the character (khulq) of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham), seven persons with the character of Prophet Musa (AS) (Moses), three with the character of Prophet Esa (AS) (Jesus) and one with the character of Prophet Muhammad (SLM). And their ranks will be those of the masters of the people (makhluq).

38. In Huliyat-al-Aulia, it is narrated from Prophet Muhammad (SLM) that in every era (zamana) there would be forty persons whose heart would be like the heart of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), (Upto the end of Hadith). It is also said that there would be a person whose heart will be like the heart of Israfil (AS) (the angel who will sound the Trumpet on the Day of Resurrection). And there are the people of a group who are called Ousia (or Owaisia); they need no spiritual guide (murshid) and they draw upon the light of prophethood to call their hajar (stone-soul-nafas) a gem and they develop (their faculties) without a medium. For Khwaja Owais-e-Qarni (RZ), these ranks are complete and perfect, as Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "On no day did any idea or notion (khatra) occur to me and I was blessed with the (divine) Vision."

39. It is narrated that during the period of Imam Mahdi (AS), a boy came to the Imam in the path of Allah. His mother was beating her chest and saying: "Wah Mahdi, Wah Mahdi." This was reported to Imam Mahdi (AS) that the woman was making such fuss. After that, Imam Mahdi (AS) said: "After me and till the Day of Resurrection, there will be such (righteously) guided people, who would beat their chests in every house."

40. It is reported by Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ), Bandagi Miyan Shah Ni'mat (RZ), Miyan Shaikh Muhammad (RZ) and some other migrant-companions of Imam Mahdi (AS) that when these respected people came near Farah (in Afghanistan) from Gujarat (in India), the Imam (AS) came out of the house and asked: "How near have they come?" His companions said: "They are yet far away." The Imam (AS) came out many times to enquire about the progress of the people coming from Gujarat. At this, Bibi Buwan (RZ) said; "Miranjeo (AS), happiness is very much writ large on your blessed face, because your son is coming." The Imam (AS) said: "Why should I not be happy? The son is coming as an (obedient and faithful) son."

41. Be it known that Imam Mahdi (AS) has said; "There will be the (righteously) guided people after me (in the world) till the Day of Resurrection, as there were after Prophet Muhammad (SLM) and his companions (RZ), that is, the saints (aulia Allah)." Hence, people like Bayazid Bustami (RA), Sultan Ibrahim Adham (RA), Shaikh Shibli and Khwaja Junaid (RA) and many others reached perfection (in spiritual achievements) with out being in the company of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (SLM). Similarly, such saints of high caliber will (certainly) come after Imam Mahdi (AS) and after the companions of Imam Mahdi (AS).

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