Reviewing and Criticizing the Sainthood Relations and those Waiting from Gonabadi Sufi Belief

One of the Sufism branches in the recent period is the “Gonābādies”. This group which is a branch of “Nimatullāhī” has specific beliefs in relation to religious beliefs. Including that, they have certain views toward the issue of awaiting and the how of the realization of Vicegerency at the Occultation period and the duties of those waiting to benefit from this Vicegerency: such as claiming a kind of special representation in the spiritual and sainthood matters for their dignitaries in order to guide people in the Occultation period, the necessity of swearing allegiance by the followers to the pole of the sect for the perfection of their faith and the acceptance of their deeds, special utilization of the titles and nicknames such as the Pole, Sheikh, Pillars and the Substitutes that this itself gradually undermines the importance and the place of the Infallible Imam and his mediating role in the grace and guidance. Also, presenting the issue of having permission at the Occultation period and extending these permissions to the Imam of the Time and the progenitor of their Vicegerency to Imam Ali (PBUH) is one of their beliefs. Thus, the result of such connections from the view of the Gonābādies is the realization of correct awaiting and guidance during the Occultation period is based on the necessity of knowledge and wisdom of poles who have special permissions from the Imams succession and have the unseen inspirations and special power in the spiritual guidance from the Imams.