Walayat is devotion to divine love and renunciation of worldly desires: Hafiz Saeed Raza Baghdadi

Director of the Directorate of Education and Professional Development, Minhaj-ul-Quran, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed Raza Baghdadi, addressed a ceremony organized by Minhaj-ul-Quran Lahore on the occasion of Giyarhvi Sharif. He stated that the teachings of Ghaus-ul-Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), form the foundation of Islamic spirituality, extensively outlined in his renowned book Ghunyat al-Talibeen.

Explaining the curriculum of Wilayah (sainthood), Ghaus-ul-Azam emphasized that its attainment depends on the love of Allah, adherence to Shariah, and renunciation of worldly desires. A saint (wali) is one who prioritizes the commands of Allah in every aspect of their actions, thoughts, and life while maintaining compassion and kindness for humanity. His teachings guide us to understand that sincerity, patience, and strict adherence to Shariah are prerequisites for spiritual development.

Hafiz Saeed Raza Baghdadi further elaborated that in Ghunyat al-Talibeen, Ghaus-ul-Azam defines a saint as someone who annihilates their self and draws closer to Allah. Reaching this station requires worship combined with piety, fear of Allah, and divine love. He explained that sainthood is not a hereditary title but a result of inner purification, purity of intention, and a deep connection with Allah. The primary mission of a saint is to invite people towards Allah and guide them on the path of truth through religious and spiritual teachings.

The event host, Saqib Bhatti, President of Pakistan Awami Tehreek Lahore, welcomed the guests. The ceremony was graced by the presence of officials from the Directorate of Education and Professional Development, including Allama Engineer Muhammad Sarfraz Qadri and Allama Ahmad Waheed Qadri. Among the attendees were senior leaders of Minhaj-ul-Quran, including Haji Ishaq, Shehzad Rasool, Allama Tahir Ali Mustafavi, Asghar Sajid, and Professor Sakhi, alongside a large number of workers and local residents