do they conclude it? What do they fear? What is the nature of their journey? Who deserves the seal of sainthood, just as Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—deserved the seal of prophethood? What qualities would make him deserving of it? And what is the cause of—(1) And how many gatherings are there for these bodies before they are returned to the Sovereign of all dominion?’”—along with many other questions of this kind that he mentioned.

Elsewhere in the book, someone said to him:

“Can there be anyone in this age who equals Abū Bakr and ʿUmar—may Allah be pleased with them both?”

He replied:

“If you mean in deeds, then no. But if you mean in rank, that cannot be ruled out. For ranks depend on the means of the heart, while what those ranks contain is designated according to deeds. Who, then, has diverted Allah’s mercy from the people of this age, so that none among them may be foremost, brought near, chosen, or elect?

“Will not the Mahdī appear at the end of time? Amid tribulation, he will uphold justice and will not be powerless against it. And will there not be someone at the end of time who possesses the seal of sainthood, who will be Allah’s proof against all the saints on the Day of Standing? Just as Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is the last of the prophets, was given the seal of prophethood, and is Allah’s proof against all the prophets, so too will this saint be the last of the saints at the end of time.”