There are seven grades recognized by the Sufis of those in the spiritual hierarchy: pir, buzurg, wali, ghous, qutub, nabi, and rasul. These are the degrees which come from the inner initiations to which one becomes entitled after having the necessary outer initiations. It is beyond words to express what inner initiation means and in what form it is given. Those to whom the inner initiation is unknown may explain it as a dream or as a vision, but in reality it is something higher and greater than that. I can only explain it by saying that the definite changes which take place during one's journey through the spiritual path are initiations, and it is these initiations which include man in the spiritual hierarchy.

In the life of a saint or a master there are five degrees known, and in the two last degrees the progress of the saint or master is silent. But in the life a prophet, these seven degrees manifest to view. For a saint or a master can do his work by avoiding the notice of the world, but the life of the prophet necessitates coming into the world. Thus as he progresses from grade to grade through his life, he cannot very well cover himself, however much he may want to, from the gaze of the world. The sage of every category -- saint, master, or prophet -- always prefers not being known to the world, and as he progresses that desire increases more. It is not only out of modesty or humbleness, but also for the protection of the spiritual ideal which attracts dangers of all sorts by being exposed to the common gaze.

All beauty is veiled by nature, and the higher the beauty the more it is covered. That makes it easy for a wise person to find the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet, for one beats his drums and the other tries to keep in the background, if only his work in the world would let him keep back. It is his efforts in accomplishing something that bring him to the notice of the world. However, his longing is to be unknown, for the one who really deserves to be known is God alone.

The work of the pir is helping individuals toward the unfoldment of their soul.
The work of the buzurg is to help by the power of his soul those who wish to advance spiritually.
The wali controls a community, keeping it on the right track.
The ghous helps its spiritual well-being.
The qutub spiritually governs a country or a nation.
The nabi elevates individuals and bears a divine message.
The rasul is the one who has fulfilled the message he has borne.