as-salamu alaykum I completely accept the validity and necessity of tasawwuf and sufism but just wanted to know why is it that mureeds elevate the status of their guides? In no other discipline of Islamic sciences do I see such deification of the teacher as I do in tasawwuf. While everyone has love and respect for their teachers, the people of tasawwuf seem to over do it. Even to the extent that there is spiritual state known as fana fil shaykh. Fana fillah is obviously legitimate. So is fana fil rasul salallahu alayhi wasalam as Allah's pleasure lies in obedience to his Messenger. But fana fish shaykh? If the kalima is la ilah ilallah, then why are the shaykhs so elevated? They are not infallible. Are there any tariqahs that bypass this state?