The first set of people are those who are rebellious and disobedient...

The first set of people are those who are rebellious and disobedient, and on account of their law-breaking tendencies, they form a coterie of persons who are hell-bent to protect and promote the interests of the devil and are a cause of constant torture for Allah’s creatures. On the other hand are those who are good-natured, pure, and well-behaved and with a positive outlook and are determined to promote the welfare of the people.

Such noble persons and untainted souls form their own fraternity and come closer to one another through mutual interaction, following the axiomatic principle that “birds of a feather flock together.” These courageous, highly determined and spiritually motivated people, through sheer hard work and concentration, leave behind indelible tales of sincerity and honesty, patience and steadfastness, love and sacrifice that the readers are simply stunned by their exceptional nature.

These holy personages have graced every period of human history. Outwardly, they live on the sidelines but they are easily placed on account of their habits and manners, their character and mode of conversation. Their love and concern for the creatures of Allah is so gushing that it cannot be contained like the perfume of flowers.

The chain of their blessing is continuous, because it goes against the divine grain that His creatures are deprived of the benefit and blessing of His chosen people in any era of human history. Therefore, these favoured servants of Allah are not only a source of blessing for the people in their manifest life but also benefit them after death; rather their blessings acquire greater frequency and intensity when they are transferred to another mode of existence after leaving this phenomenal world.

They bless the seekers of their help as effectively as they did during their earthly sojourn. The one who seeks their help instinctively knows that he has been helped by them. In the context of intermediation and help, we propose to cast a cursory glance at the conduct, experiences and observations of these righteous people who have provided glimmers of light and guidance to the creatures of Allah groping in the amorphous shades of darkness and depression.

Ideas and beliefs of religious leaders 1. Imam Zayn-ul-‘Ābidīn Imam Zayn-ul-‘Ābidīn supplicates to the Holy Prophet*(Peac Be Up Him and His Household)* for help and intercession in these words: O mercy of the worlds! You are the intercessor for the sinners.