Applying the description of wali to a person and the signs of the awliya

Question:
Is it permissible to say that so-and-so is a wali because he performs many righteous deeds?

Answer:
It is not permissible to assert with certainty that a person is a wali unless there is evidence. However, we hope for the righteous that they are among the awliya (close friends of Allah); this hope is good. We hope for the doers of good and we fear for the doers of evil. We do not testify for anyone regarding Paradise or the Fire except for those for whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. This is a rule and a fundamental principle of the creed. Every believer is a wali of Allah, praise be to Allah, as He the Exalted said: So every believing, pious person is a wali of Allah, even if no karamah (a miracle granted to a righteous person) has occurred through his hands. Some people say that one cannot be a wali unless a karamah occurs through his hands. Many of the righteous have not had a karamah occur through their hands. The important thing is that he is a believer and pious, so he is a wali of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. All believing, pious people are awliya of Allah, Mighty and Majestic. They differ in rank, some being better than others. As for saying that one is not a wali unless he has karamat, this is wrong. Or saying that one is not a wali unless a mosque or shrine is built over his grave, this is a greater error. This is one of the means of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and of exaggeration regarding the righteous. The awliya of Allah, praise be to Allah, are many. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are among My servants..." Some say, "Some..." "There are among My servants..." He narrated that there are among His righteous awliya, and people do not know. They see him as weak and poor, and he is pushed at the doors. He is despised and pushed out at the doors. He is despised, and they do not allow him to enter if he comes to someone. They do not allow him to enter, they despise him, and they push him at the doors. They despise him, and they do not intercede for him, even if he were to intercede, because he is nothing in the eyes of people. But with Allah, he has a great status, due to his piety and righteousness.