The Beauty of the Righteous and Ranks of the Elite (Hilyat al-awliya wa tabaqat al-asfiya) by Abu Naim al-Isfahani
In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful & Compassionate Lord I The Beauty of The Righteous & Ranks of The Elite A ll praises be to Allah. May He grant success to His servant. In seeking His help, I have compiled this book which contains the names and sayings of a special group of people who are known for their faith and piety, who have attained a unique spiritual integrity that was recognized by their contemporaries, and who are revered to this day by every true seeker on the path of God Almighty, Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the universes, blessed be His Name. This book comprises selected narrations of some of the early companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, and their status and signs. From the numerous prophetic sayings and those of the blessed companions of God's messenger I quoted in this book, the reader will acknowledge that it is only by the grace of Allah that such blessed beings have recognized the signs of their Lord, and only thro