Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that honouring Ahlullāh (the Awliyaa) brings about progress in spiritual knowledge (Uloome Baatiniyyah). Honouring the Ahlullāh is in reality honouring Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Furthermore, with progress in spiritual knowledge will also result in progress in the academic knowledge of Deen (Fiqh, Hadith, etc).
(SOURCE: MALFOOZAAT OF HAZRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI SAHIB رحمه الله, PART 6)