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**ricochettty** · 06-10-2012, 07:26 PM

(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this?
There is no need for a Shaykh in this day and age IMHO. Hence, there is no requirement for a Shaykh.

In the fitnah filled modern times it is obligatory to have a Shaikh.
My assessment. Those who want to ignore it do so at their own risk.
(2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required?
There are no evidences in Islam to suggest that taking a Shaykh is required. Even though, Tasawwuf people over exaggerate the importance of taking a Shaykh but it is not a religious requirement. Noble Qur'an told Companions (RA) that beloved Prophet (PBUH) cleanses you by reading the Verse of the Noble Qur'an. Tasawwuf is imitation of that.
(3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not?
Yes. With the internet nowadays, it is so easy for find amazing speeches and teachings of Islam of so many authentic religious scholars from around the world. Why limit yourself to one Shaykh especially when the Shaykh tells you that you can't listen to lectures of any other Shaykh. In India there is a book called Rapidax English Speaking Course. 20 million copies of that were sold decades ago. It is still selling and more books like that have appeared. Let us put the total combine number of such books at 100 million. Out of those 100 million buys I have not met even a single one who would assert that he speaks English because of that book or the books of that type.

Ergo - you need a teacher to learn. Even in case of spirituality.
(4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make?
Many people have benefited from taking a Sufi Shaykh. But then, a lot of people do things to please the Shaykh and they do it because the Shaykh told them to do it and many times, Allah is completely taken out of the picture. There is a huge potential for Shirk in taking a Shaykh. This is ad hominem. Purpose of a Shaikh is to take you closer to Allah (SWT) and not the opposite.
Considering all the harm nowadays because of Sufi cults and the cultish behavior of Tasawwuf people, it's best not get involved with any specific Shaykh. If you do, there is a very strong possibility that you will start hating other Muslims as can been seen by the behavior of the followers of some Shaykhs. There is A LOT of rivalry and hatred between the followers of various Sufi Shaykhs. Find scholars who you like and listen to their speeches and you will benefit tremendously from them. Nowadays, many people don't have much contact with their Shaykh anyway. Also, if you are not sure about anything or are weak in some aspect of Islam, you can always listen to a lecture on that topic or even email the many online Fatwa websites. They will answer whatever question you have even about Tasawwuf. One should be very careful about choosing a Shaikh but your import, that you have repeated earlier too, is rather missionary. Your disposition is negative.

06-10-2012, 07:26 PM	#11
ricochettty Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 521 Senior Member	(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this? There is no need for a Shaykh in this day and age IMHO. Hence, there is no requirement for a Shaykh. In the fitnah filled modern times it is obligatory to have a Shaikh. My assessment. Those who want to ignore it do so at their own risk. (2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required? There are no evidences in Islam to suggest that taking a Shaykh is required. Even though, Tasawwuf people over exaggerate the importance of taking a Shaykh but it is not a religious requirement. Noble Qur'an told Companions (RA) that beloved Prophet (PBUH) cleanses you by reading the Verse of the Noble Qur'an. Tasawwuf is imitation of that. (3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not? Yes. With the internet nowadays, it is so easy for find amazing speeches and teachings of Islam of so many authentic religious scholars from around the world. Why limit yourself to one Shaykh especially when the Shaykh tells you that you can't listen to lectures of any other Shaykh. In India there is a book called Rapidax English Speaking Course. 20 million copies of that were sold decades ago. It is still selling and more books like that have appeared. Let us put the total combine number of such books at 100 million. Out of those 100 million buys I have not met even a single one who would assert that he speaks English because of that book or the books of that type. Ergo - you need a teacher to learn. Even in case of spirituality. (4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make? Many people have benefited from taking a Sufi Shaykh. But then, a lot of people do things to please the Shaykh and they do it because the Shaykh told them to do it and many times, Allah is completely taken out of the picture. There is a huge potential for Shirk in taking a Shaykh. This is ad hominem. Purpose of a Shaikh is to take you closer to Allah (SWT) and not the opposite. Considering all the harm nowadays because of Sufi cults and the cultish behavior of Tasawwuf people, it's best not get involved with any specific Shaykh. If you do, there is a very strong possibility that you will start hating other Muslims as can been seen by the behavior of the followers of some Shaykhs. There is A LOT of rivalry and hatred between the followers of various Sufi Shaykhs. Find scholars who you like and listen to their speeches and you will benefit tremendously from them. Nowadays, many people don't have much contact with their Shaykh anyway. Also, if you are not sure about anything or are weak in some aspect of Islam, you can always listen to a lecture on that topic or even email the many online Fatwa websites. They will answer whatever question you have even about Tasawwuf. One should be very careful about choosing a Shaikh but your import, that you have repeated earlier too, is rather missionary. Your disposition is negative.
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