Wilaayah : Wilaayah is a status given to those who have gained a special spiritual closeness to Almighty Allah. This status is given by Almighty Allah to certain of his chosen pious servants. From the Awliyah of all the Ummah, the greatest Awliyah are from the Ummah of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). From the Awliyah-e-Ummat-e-Muhammadi, the most superior Awliyah are the Four Khulafa, namely Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) and then all the Sahaba-e-Kiraam. All the Sahaba are also Awliyah. The source of the blessing for the Awliyah after these is Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu). In other words, they are all blessed with Wilayah through the blessing of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu).