[Q 433] Peer’s Rank vs. Father’s Rank, Who is Greater – Peer or Father? Spiritual Guide or Biological Parent?

QUESTION:

Whose rank is higher a peer’s or a father’s?

ANSWER:

Both a Peer-e-Kamil (perfect spiritual guide) and one’s walidain (parents) have a very high status in Islam, and it is lazim (obligatory) upon us to show reverence to both. However, the maqam (rank) of the peer is higher than that of the father, because parents nurture the body, whereas the peer nurtures the soul. He brings us out from misguidance and evil deeds, guides us to the straight path, and brings us closer to the Divine Court of Allah. The benefits and fruits of this are received not only in this world but also in Barzakh (the intermediate realm) and the Aakhirah (Hereafter).

Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat رحمہ اللہ تعالی states:
“Asatiza o Mashayikh-e-‘Ilm-e-Shar’iyyah (teachers and scholars of Islamic knowledge) are undoubtedly aabaa-e-ma’nawi (spiritual fathers) and aabaa-e-roohi (soul fathers), whose reverence and greatness exceed that of the aabaa-e-jismani (physical fathers), for the biological father is the father of body and matter, while these are the fathers of soul and heart.”

[Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 19, Page 451]

He further says:
“The status of a peer and teacher of Islamic knowledge is higher than that of one’s parents — they are nurturers of the body, whereas the peer is the nurturer of the soul. The relation of the soul to the body is the same as that of the teacher and peer to the parents.”

[Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 23, Page 695]

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 29th July 2025