- The Awliya' (Friends of Allah / Walli'Allah)
We are yet told of another group of people amongst this community, who like the Abdal are neither Prophets nor martyrs, yet they are close to Allah. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, once said after the salat: 
‘O people! Listen to this, understand it, and know it. Allah has servants who are neither Prophets nor martyrs and whom the Prophets and martyrs yearn to be like, due to their seat and proximity in relation to Allah.’ One of the Bedouin Arabs who came from among the most isolated of people twisted his hand at the Prophet and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! People from humankind who are neither Prophets nor martyrs and yet the Prophet's and the martyrs yearn to be like them due to their seat and proximity in relation to Allah?! Describe them for us!’
'The Prophet's face showed delight at the Bedouin's question and he said: ’ ...
‘They are of the strangers from this and that place. They frequent this or that tribe without belonging to them. They do not have family connections
among themselves. They love one another for Allah's sake. They are of pure intent towards one another. On the Day of Resurrection Allah will place for them pedestals of light upon which He will make them sit, and He will turn their faces and clothes into light. On the Day of Resurrection the people will be terrified but not those. They are Allah's Friends [Awliya'] upon whom fear comes not, nor do they grieve.’
[Haythami in Majma'al-Zawa'id says: 'Ahmad relates it, and Tabrani relates something similar, and the men in its chain of transmission has been declared trustworthy." Also related through several chains by Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Baghawi in Sharh al-Sunna, al-Hakim in the Mustadrak, Ibn 'Asakir, Ibn Abi al-Dunya in Kitab al-Ikhwan, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Ibn Abi Hatim, Ibn Mardawayh, and others].
[nasheed - sohbatay awliya to be added]
page76-77, The Broken Chain,
Reflections upon the neglect of a tradition, Limited Edition,
Aftab Ahmad Malik,
Amal Press