A sheikh of Tasawwuf claims that the bodies of Shaikh Zakariyya's mureeds do not decompose in the grave.

Answer

This claim has no Shar'i validity. It is not permissible to subscribe to the belief that all the mureeds of a certain Shaikh attain the rank of the Shuhada and that their bodies do not decompose in the grave. Such a belief will be valid only if there exists absolute certitude (Daleel-e-Qat'i) to substantiate it. That the bodies of the Ambiya and Shuhada do not decompose is borne out by such daleel (Qur'aanic aayaat and Ahaadith-e-Mutawaatarah).

If via kashf / ilhaam (kinds of inspiration received by the Auliya) or by personal experience, e.g. when a grave was dug up, it was established that the body of a certain mureed did not decompose, then this will be an exceptional case on the basis of which an Aqeedah(Belief) may not be fabricated. Whilst the possibility of a non-Shaheed's body not decomposing is valid, it is an isolated case on the basis of which the inference made by the Shaikh is baatil. This type of propagation culminates in bid'ah and baseless beliefs with the passage of time. The Qur'aan Majeed states: "Do not commit ghulu' (excess) in your Deen." Ghulu' fid Deen is among the shi-aar (salient features) of the Nasaara, and sects such as the Qabar Puja (grave-worshipping) jamaat and the Tijaanis. This type of ghulu' is setting in among the sheikhs of tasawwuf who are linked to even the senior Ulama of Deoband. There is absolutely no validity in the claim stated in the above question.