Assalamu alaykum
I was reading a book in urdu by Moulana Manzoor Nomani RA "Qurb-e-Elaahi ke do raaste". I felt that the translation of this book would benefit the users here.
(Errors in translation are expected. Corrections if any will be highly rewarded by Allah SWT).
Two efforts to achieve proximity to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’la
Ahle Imaan have two ways or paths to achieve nearness to Allah SWT (Qurb-e-Elaahi)and for their excellence in deen and with the inner soul. These paths were open to the slaves of Allah SWT from the beginning, moving on this, they achieved their objectives.
One of them is that; a person limits to himself and works fully towards his progress in islaah and tazkiyah. This is achieved by adherence to faraidh and wajibaath, then guard his nafs against sins and makroohath. And in the rest of the time occupies himself with nafl ibaadah; salah, fasts, dhikr, fikr etc.
A few research scholars have termed this as “Qurb bil nawafil”
The second path is; adherence to faraidh and wajibaath, guard his nafs against sins and makroohath and then depending on the available time keeps himself engaged in nafl ibadah, dhikr o fikr. Along with this with correct ikhlaas-o-niyyah (intentions to satisfy Allah SWT alone and aiming at rewards in aakhirah), he engages in efforts towards islaah and hidayah, taleem o tarbiyah, tableegh-o-naseehah of fellow human beings. And spends time on efforts towards “elaa-e-kalimatul haq” and “ahya-e-shariah”.
This approach can be termed as “Qurb bil faraiz”.
In the Qarn-awwal (initial period) of Islam, generally this path was followed by saalikeeh-e-raah-ridha and taalibeen of qurb-e-moula. But in later period due to specific reasons, majority left this path, things got reversed, many halqahs of ahl-e-sulook selected the first path. More than this a bigger lamentable mental shift took place, that, in many circles of khanqah, the sulook-ilallah and nearness to Allah SWT was made dependent only on the first path (qurb bil nawafil). In their minds the deeni and roohaani mastery was limited to qurb bil nawafil.
Visualizing this, in different periods attempts were made by the musliheen and mujaddideen to correct this wrong imagination. Even then the misapprehension continues till now. Due to this; a regrettable and harmful results have occurred, that, the following acts are down graded.
The fundamental effort towards taleem-o-tarbiyah, islaah-o-dawah, iqmath-e-deen, ahya-shariah which is considered as the backbone of deeni nizaam, flourishing of deen is fully dependent on this. And there is no doubt that, in the eyes of Allah SWT the rank and rewards from these acts are more than engaging oneself to nafl ibaadah, dhikr o fikr only.
Today, both in general and elite groups this effort is considered as a general and an ordinary effort. Aspirants of progress in deen and rooh, qurb e ilaahi; in their journey they feel no necessity and consequently have no intentions to offer their energies and time towards this. This reason, this field is empty from daring personalities and warmness is missing. Alhough this was the ideal conditions for the royal riders to show their capabilities and also for the royal falcons for their daring flights.
Why is this? Both general and elite groups are into this wrong interpretation and wrong doings, and they continue to do so. Although this query and its reply is not a part of today’s topic. But to solve this issue we can say that:
The reason behind the layperson’s misapprehension is that in the first path (qurb bil nawafil), the saalik isolating himself from worldly affairs gets totally engaged in ibadah and zikr o fikr.
The general masses busy with their worldly affairs think that this type of life to be an extra-ordinary and a challenging job. Obviously, these types of challenging and extra-ordinary efforts attract and leave their effects on the masses. This reason, poor people think that this is the most specific path to achieve qurb-e-elaahi and piety.
Moreover, phenomenon of super naturals, kashfs etc is relatively experienced more in this path. Due to this, there is a general feeling that, this path is the only one to achieve piety and this way of life is perfect to achieve deeeni and roohaani perfection.
And regarding the elites, meaning the exclusive group of ahle sulook who are under the misconception that sulook islah is limited to practices they follow; There are reasons for that. One general reason worth mention here is that, in this path, (Qurb bil nawafil), due to devoted zikr-o-fikr in abundance, the saalik receives a type of pleasantness and nooraaniyath (radiance), connectivity and love with Allah SWT, as a result; the saalik feels the effects of anwaar in him. On occasions it happens that gates get opened for facts and divinity.
The person on the second path freely mixes with general masses, spends time in diverse environments. He will have no experiences of the similar conditions quoted earlier.
So this is the reason, the ahle sulook feel the first path more attractive.
The akaabir and A'imma of this philosophy won’t consider these qualities to be of any significant achievements. According to them, their status is that, through these qualities, the fresh entrants in the path of sulook could be encouraged, so that the interest and efforts towards progress is sustained.
Hadhrath Mujaddid Alf Thaani RA wrote a note about his contemplation to his famous khaleefah Mulla Yaar Mohammed Bakhshee RA:
“Shaykh-e-ajal Imam Rabbani Hazrath Khwajah Yusuf Hamdani RA said “These are just fancies; through this the young students in the school of tareeqath are trained”.
And in the second note addressed to Mulla Hajee Mohammed Lahoree, he wrote:
“The Ahwaal o mawajeed, lessons and ma'arif which the sufiyah experience are not the required objectives, rather they all are categories of apprehensions and visions; the young students of tareeqath are trained with this.”
These manifestation and conditions experienced by the saaliks who are on the path of “qurb bil nawaafil”, they are gifts from Allah SWT and are considered to be means for tarbiyah and progress. But they are neither ultimate goal nor a precious treasure to give preference for Qurb bil nawaafl over Qurb bil faraidh.
Imam Rabbani RA wrote about himself:
“This faqeer writes about himself that; for ages “ilm-o-maarif”, “ahwaal-o-muqamath” rained heavily from dark clouds and the results were achieved by the blessing of Allah SWT. Now there is no wish nor desire left, but to revive a sunnah among many sunnaths of Rasulullah SAS and put them to common practice. And let this Ahwaal-o-mawajeed be for men of royal tastes.
Reasons for preference and excellence of Qurb bil faraidh:
The methodology of qurb bil faraidh and its activities (like doing dawath-o-tableegh among the masses who have distanced themselves from Allah SWT, educating and training the ignorant, efforts of building deen, giving life to shariah etc.) is excelled and preferred over the methodology of qurb bil nawafil. This is apparent because these actions were especially accomplished by the prophets. Prophets were sent specially for this mission. So offering our noble efforts and energies towards this with ikhlaas and ihtesaab and to make this effort everlasting shall make us the deputies of these blessed personalities. In a way a non-prophet person shall be most fortunate to be participating in efforts towards the final objective, concerns and anguish of prophets.
Also this method is transitive; means, when a person is moving on this path aiming on his personal islaah will be instrumental in islaah and hidayah of thousands of people.
A saheeh hadeeth: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:” One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer”. (Muslim)
This hadeeth explains that the person shall gain the rewards of aamaal done by thousands of people.
This also is a fact that if this apolitical Khilafah (according to Hadhrath shah waliullah RA it is (inner) Khilafath-e- baatinah) is followed with centralized established principles, it shall get evolved to Khilafat-e-zahirah (visible).
The rewards of acquiring the khilafah on earth are achieved through faraidh along with the above quoted services. This is the promise from Allah SWT and this is the eternal sunnah.
Also it can be affirmed this is the right most path for the establishment of “khilafth-e-nubuwwah”. Ignoring this path, one may install his own governance through other paths and struggles; but khilfath-e-nubuwwah can not be established.
It can be said that; the discussion was that qurb bil faraidh is at noble and premier position. Its activities viz., dawath-o -tableegh, education, reformation, striving for revival of shariah etc. are at higher position than nafl ibaaadah and achieving nearness. Indeed it can be said that it is much above the activities of zikr o fikr in seclusion.
In principle, today, emphasis on this method and these activities is most important. Because today it is the day of general movements; invitations towards secular movements; different materialistic and movements to distract from deen are gaining strength and people are getting attracted towards them.
Under these circumstances if wide spread efforts involving masses are not offered towards dawah of deen, deeni education, revival; and if true and sincere servants of Allah SWT do not enter this field then Allah SWT alone is the savior of deen which was entrusted on us.
Imam Abu Ishaq asfarainee’s touching message.
During his time layman's deen and imaan was put to danger due to fallacious fitnahs, he met the akaabir and shuyookh of his time who had left the worldly affairs and confined themselves to their ibaadah and mujaahidahs in caves and told them with distress
manzoor nomaani ki pukar.jpg
Oh! the people surviving on the dry jungle grass; you are here and the ummah of Rasulullah SAS is getting deviated.
This work; guarding the deen and imaan of muslims, deeni education and training of the ignorant, dawah o tableeg for people who have alienated and neglected the deen; is an important work during all times. This is discussed in detailed earlier. This is from Allah SWT that this work is at a higher and premier grade. And there is no other place where we ummattes can achieve perfection and progress.
Hadhrath Mujaddid RA said:
“Nothing other than dawah o tableegh can bring perfection; because, Allah SWT loves a person among his slaves, ‘one who brings Allah SWT closer to his servants’ and also ‘the servants closer to Allah SWT’. He is a Daee and a Muballig.
In particular, today, the clouds of materialism and laa-deeniyath are impending; ignorance towards deen and distancing from Allah SWT are spreading like wildfire. Hence at this moment, the value for these activities gets elevated in the eyes of Allah SWT.
Hadhrath Mujaddid RA has a very good analogy:
This is like a crisis scenario. When the enemy gets an upper hand, the opponents have invaded; during these critical moments a faithful soldier honestly exhibits his skills. In turn he gets the highest rewards and earns the trust of his masters. But during peace and normal conditions, someone demonstrates his best of his skills he can’t achieve the similar rewards.
During past and in particular today; the path of Qurb bil faraidh is the source and the highway for achieving:
1. deeni and roohaani excellence,
2. proximity to Allah SWT
3. acceptance by Allah SWT.
The activities of guarding the deen and imaan of muslims, deeni education and training of the ignorant, dawah o tableeg for people who have alienated and neglected the deen shall get highly rewarded and get higher grade than the activities of nafl ibadah, zikr o muraqbah.
A caution: There are preconditions for qurb bil faraidh to be at higher grade than qurb bil nawafil.
Qualities of Isthegaal, ikhlaas, ihtesaab, khashiyath-o-inaabath must be present. If not, then all the hardships and efforts will be for a lifeless movement or may be just a profession or a trade. To get these qualities, a general and time tested source is; to be in the company of men with these qualities and to spend their time alone in zikr o fikr in abundance. Without these two things achieving the conditions of ikhlaas and ehsaan may not be logically impossible but they are very difficult, experiences say seldom it happens.
Whatever is discussed should not be mistaken that we are declaring the path qurb bil nawafil to be wrong or illegal, never!!! Maashaa maashaa; a thousand times.
Our request is that the path of Qurb bil faraidh is better and preferred path. In particular, present prevailing conditions and exigencies demand that humble slaves of Allah SWT adopt this path and spend their energies in this path.
We won’t deny the fact that; today we live in corrupted atmosphere and situation demands that we should spend some time in zikr o fikr, without this we won’t achieve ehsaan and ikhlas. So for these people, there is no harm in, (with the intention of preparation), follow this path for few days. But ultimate objective should be to serve Deen. Gifts of abilities and efficiencies granted by Allah SWT must be spent on this path.
In the end it is very important to say that we have invited exclusively towards these activities of general dawah o tableegh, education and training. This doesn’t mean one should achieve mastery over the particular way of giving sermons; that requires an amount of deeni knowledge. Rather, creating consciousness of deen among the ignorant, teaching them the basics of deen and to put efforts towards basic reformation, this is a basic responsibility which any ordinary Muslim can take part with his available resources. At the same time, he will also get educated and trained.
I end this discussion with a hadeeth of Rasulullah SAS
(summary of hadeeth from Mishkath)
Hadhrath Hasan Basree RA narrates (a mursal) that someone inquired about two men from banee Israel. One of them was knowledgeable in deen. His practice was to offer fardh salah and then sit and teach others about good qualities. The other person kept fast in the day and offered nafl ibadah during night. (Rasulullah SAS was asked) ” Who is better among them?” Rasulullah SAS replied, “The Scholar who offered the faraidh and then taught others about good qualities”. “The excellence of this person over the other who did qiyam during night and kept fasts in day is like myself (Rasulullah SAS) over an ordinary man”.
A clarification: The example quoted in reply by Rasulullah SAS can’t be expressed in terms of grading (means the aalim won’t get graded as nabee). Rather it is a comparison for fazeelath (excellence).
Allah Knows best:
I was reading a book in urdu by Moulana Manzoor Nomani RA "Qurb-e-Elaahi ke do raaste". I felt that the translation of this book would benefit the users here.
(Errors in translation are expected. Corrections if any will be highly rewarded by Allah SWT).
Two efforts to achieve proximity to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’la
Ahle Imaan have two ways or paths to achieve nearness to Allah SWT (Qurb-e-Elaahi)and for their excellence in deen and with the inner soul. These paths were open to the slaves of Allah SWT from the beginning, moving on this, they achieved their objectives.
One of them is that; a person limits to himself and works fully towards his progress in islaah and tazkiyah. This is achieved by adherence to faraidh and wajibaath, then guard his nafs against sins and makroohath. And in the rest of the time occupies himself with nafl ibaadah; salah, fasts, dhikr, fikr etc.
A few research scholars have termed this as “Qurb bil nawafil”
The second path is; adherence to faraidh and wajibaath, guard his nafs against sins and makroohath and then depending on the available time keeps himself engaged in nafl ibadah, dhikr o fikr. Along with this with correct ikhlaas-o-niyyah (intentions to satisfy Allah SWT alone and aiming at rewards in aakhirah), he engages in efforts towards islaah and hidayah, taleem o tarbiyah, tableegh-o-naseehah of fellow human beings. And spends time on efforts towards “elaa-e-kalimatul haq” and “ahya-e-shariah”.
This approach can be termed as “Qurb bil faraiz”.
In the Qarn-awwal (initial period) of Islam, generally this path was followed by saalikeeh-e-raah-ridha and taalibeen of qurb-e-moula. But in later period due to specific reasons, majority left this path, things got reversed, many halqahs of ahl-e-sulook selected the first path. More than this a bigger lamentable mental shift took place, that, in many circles of khanqah, the sulook-ilallah and nearness to Allah SWT was made dependent only on the first path (qurb bil nawafil). In their minds the deeni and roohaani mastery was limited to qurb bil nawafil.
Visualizing this, in different periods attempts were made by the musliheen and mujaddideen to correct this wrong imagination. Even then the misapprehension continues till now. Due to this; a regrettable and harmful results have occurred, that, the following acts are down graded.
The fundamental effort towards taleem-o-tarbiyah, islaah-o-dawah, iqmath-e-deen, ahya-shariah which is considered as the backbone of deeni nizaam, flourishing of deen is fully dependent on this. And there is no doubt that, in the eyes of Allah SWT the rank and rewards from these acts are more than engaging oneself to nafl ibaadah, dhikr o fikr only.
Today, both in general and elite groups this effort is considered as a general and an ordinary effort. Aspirants of progress in deen and rooh, qurb e ilaahi; in their journey they feel no necessity and consequently have no intentions to offer their energies and time towards this. This reason, this field is empty from daring personalities and warmness is missing. Alhough this was the ideal conditions for the royal riders to show their capabilities and also for the royal falcons for their daring flights.
Why is this? Both general and elite groups are into this wrong interpretation and wrong doings, and they continue to do so. Although this query and its reply is not a part of today’s topic. But to solve this issue we can say that:
The reason behind the layperson’s misapprehension is that in the first path (qurb bil nawafil), the saalik isolating himself from worldly affairs gets totally engaged in ibadah and zikr o fikr.
The general masses busy with their worldly affairs think that this type of life to be an extra-ordinary and a challenging job. Obviously, these types of challenging and extra-ordinary efforts attract and leave their effects on the masses. This reason, poor people think that this is the most specific path to achieve qurb-e-elaahi and piety.
Moreover, phenomenon of super naturals, kashfs etc is relatively experienced more in this path. Due to this, there is a general feeling that, this path is the only one to achieve piety and this way of life is perfect to achieve deeeni and roohaani perfection.
And regarding the elites, meaning the exclusive group of ahle sulook who are under the misconception that sulook islah is limited to practices they follow; There are reasons for that. One general reason worth mention here is that, in this path, (Qurb bil nawafil), due to devoted zikr-o-fikr in abundance, the saalik receives a type of pleasantness and nooraaniyath (radiance), connectivity and love with Allah SWT, as a result; the saalik feels the effects of anwaar in him. On occasions it happens that gates get opened for facts and divinity.
The person on the second path freely mixes with general masses, spends time in diverse environments. He will have no experiences of the similar conditions quoted earlier.
So this is the reason, the ahle sulook feel the first path more attractive.
The akaabir and A'imma of this philosophy won’t consider these qualities to be of any significant achievements. According to them, their status is that, through these qualities, the fresh entrants in the path of sulook could be encouraged, so that the interest and efforts towards progress is sustained.
Hadhrath Mujaddid Alf Thaani RA wrote a note about his contemplation to his famous khaleefah Mulla Yaar Mohammed Bakhshee RA:
“Shaykh-e-ajal Imam Rabbani Hazrath Khwajah Yusuf Hamdani RA said “These are just fancies; through this the young students in the school of tareeqath are trained”.
And in the second note addressed to Mulla Hajee Mohammed Lahoree, he wrote:
“The Ahwaal o mawajeed, lessons and ma'arif which the sufiyah experience are not the required objectives, rather they all are categories of apprehensions and visions; the young students of tareeqath are trained with this.”
These manifestation and conditions experienced by the saaliks who are on the path of “qurb bil nawaafil”, they are gifts from Allah SWT and are considered to be means for tarbiyah and progress. But they are neither ultimate goal nor a precious treasure to give preference for Qurb bil nawaafl over Qurb bil faraidh.
Imam Rabbani RA wrote about himself:
“This faqeer writes about himself that; for ages “ilm-o-maarif”, “ahwaal-o-muqamath” rained heavily from dark clouds and the results were achieved by the blessing of Allah SWT. Now there is no wish nor desire left, but to revive a sunnah among many sunnaths of Rasulullah SAS and put them to common practice. And let this Ahwaal-o-mawajeed be for men of royal tastes.
Reasons for preference and excellence of Qurb bil faraidh:
The methodology of qurb bil faraidh and its activities (like doing dawath-o-tableegh among the masses who have distanced themselves from Allah SWT, educating and training the ignorant, efforts of building deen, giving life to shariah etc.) is excelled and preferred over the methodology of qurb bil nawafil. This is apparent because these actions were especially accomplished by the prophets. Prophets were sent specially for this mission. So offering our noble efforts and energies towards this with ikhlaas and ihtesaab and to make this effort everlasting shall make us the deputies of these blessed personalities. In a way a non-prophet person shall be most fortunate to be participating in efforts towards the final objective, concerns and anguish of prophets.
Also this method is transitive; means, when a person is moving on this path aiming on his personal islaah will be instrumental in islaah and hidayah of thousands of people.
A saheeh hadeeth: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:” One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer”. (Muslim)
This hadeeth explains that the person shall gain the rewards of aamaal done by thousands of people.
This also is a fact that if this apolitical Khilafah (according to Hadhrath shah waliullah RA it is (inner) Khilafath-e- baatinah) is followed with centralized established principles, it shall get evolved to Khilafat-e-zahirah (visible).
The rewards of acquiring the khilafah on earth are achieved through faraidh along with the above quoted services. This is the promise from Allah SWT and this is the eternal sunnah.
Also it can be affirmed this is the right most path for the establishment of “khilafth-e-nubuwwah”. Ignoring this path, one may install his own governance through other paths and struggles; but khilfath-e-nubuwwah can not be established.
It can be said that; the discussion was that qurb bil faraidh is at noble and premier position. Its activities viz., dawath-o -tableegh, education, reformation, striving for revival of shariah etc. are at higher position than nafl ibaaadah and achieving nearness. Indeed it can be said that it is much above the activities of zikr o fikr in seclusion.
In principle, today, emphasis on this method and these activities is most important. Because today it is the day of general movements; invitations towards secular movements; different materialistic and movements to distract from deen are gaining strength and people are getting attracted towards them.
Under these circumstances if wide spread efforts involving masses are not offered towards dawah of deen, deeni education, revival; and if true and sincere servants of Allah SWT do not enter this field then Allah SWT alone is the savior of deen which was entrusted on us.
Imam Abu Ishaq asfarainee’s touching message.
During his time layman's deen and imaan was put to danger due to fallacious fitnahs, he met the akaabir and shuyookh of his time who had left the worldly affairs and confined themselves to their ibaadah and mujaahidahs in caves and told them with distress
manzoor nomaani ki pukar.jpg
Oh! the people surviving on the dry jungle grass; you are here and the ummah of Rasulullah SAS is getting deviated.
This work; guarding the deen and imaan of muslims, deeni education and training of the ignorant, dawah o tableeg for people who have alienated and neglected the deen; is an important work during all times. This is discussed in detailed earlier. This is from Allah SWT that this work is at a higher and premier grade. And there is no other place where we ummattes can achieve perfection and progress.
Hadhrath Mujaddid RA said:
“Nothing other than dawah o tableegh can bring perfection; because, Allah SWT loves a person among his slaves, ‘one who brings Allah SWT closer to his servants’ and also ‘the servants closer to Allah SWT’. He is a Daee and a Muballig.
In particular, today, the clouds of materialism and laa-deeniyath are impending; ignorance towards deen and distancing from Allah SWT are spreading like wildfire. Hence at this moment, the value for these activities gets elevated in the eyes of Allah SWT.
Hadhrath Mujaddid RA has a very good analogy:
This is like a crisis scenario. When the enemy gets an upper hand, the opponents have invaded; during these critical moments a faithful soldier honestly exhibits his skills. In turn he gets the highest rewards and earns the trust of his masters. But during peace and normal conditions, someone demonstrates his best of his skills he can’t achieve the similar rewards.
During past and in particular today; the path of Qurb bil faraidh is the source and the highway for achieving:
1. deeni and roohaani excellence,
2. proximity to Allah SWT
3. acceptance by Allah SWT.
The activities of guarding the deen and imaan of muslims, deeni education and training of the ignorant, dawah o tableeg for people who have alienated and neglected the deen shall get highly rewarded and get higher grade than the activities of nafl ibadah, zikr o muraqbah.
A caution: There are preconditions for qurb bil faraidh to be at higher grade than qurb bil nawafil.
Qualities of Isthegaal, ikhlaas, ihtesaab, khashiyath-o-inaabath must be present. If not, then all the hardships and efforts will be for a lifeless movement or may be just a profession or a trade. To get these qualities, a general and time tested source is; to be in the company of men with these qualities and to spend their time alone in zikr o fikr in abundance. Without these two things achieving the conditions of ikhlaas and ehsaan may not be logically impossible but they are very difficult, experiences say seldom it happens.
Whatever is discussed should not be mistaken that we are declaring the path qurb bil nawafil to be wrong or illegal, never!!! Maashaa maashaa; a thousand times.
Our request is that the path of Qurb bil faraidh is better and preferred path. In particular, present prevailing conditions and exigencies demand that humble slaves of Allah SWT adopt this path and spend their energies in this path.
We won’t deny the fact that; today we live in corrupted atmosphere and situation demands that we should spend some time in zikr o fikr, without this we won’t achieve ehsaan and ikhlas. So for these people, there is no harm in, (with the intention of preparation), follow this path for few days. But ultimate objective should be to serve Deen. Gifts of abilities and efficiencies granted by Allah SWT must be spent on this path.
In the end it is very important to say that we have invited exclusively towards these activities of general dawah o tableegh, education and training. This doesn’t mean one should achieve mastery over the particular way of giving sermons; that requires an amount of deeni knowledge. Rather, creating consciousness of deen among the ignorant, teaching them the basics of deen and to put efforts towards basic reformation, this is a basic responsibility which any ordinary Muslim can take part with his available resources. At the same time, he will also get educated and trained.
I end this discussion with a hadeeth of Rasulullah SAS
(summary of hadeeth from Mishkath)
Hadhrath Hasan Basree RA narrates (a mursal) that someone inquired about two men from banee Israel. One of them was knowledgeable in deen. His practice was to offer fardh salah and then sit and teach others about good qualities. The other person kept fast in the day and offered nafl ibadah during night. (Rasulullah SAS was asked) ” Who is better among them?” Rasulullah SAS replied, “The Scholar who offered the faraidh and then taught others about good qualities”. “The excellence of this person over the other who did qiyam during night and kept fasts in day is like myself (Rasulullah SAS) over an ordinary man”.
A clarification: The example quoted in reply by Rasulullah SAS can’t be expressed in terms of grading (means the aalim won’t get graded as nabee). Rather it is a comparison for fazeelath (excellence).
Allah Knows best: