[lipitrRrxX]

Assalamu Alaykum

A genuine question that came to mind is as follows:

If the objectives of tasawwuf, i.e. purification of the heart and God consciousness are obtained by adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah, then all one needs to do is to acquire the knowledge by studying at an establishment and thereafter make an effort to implement the Qur'an and Sunnah in to one's life.

(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this?
(2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required?
(3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not?
(4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make?

The aim of the aforementioned questions is not in any way to be confrontational. They are genuine questions which have been thought of after contemplation and I would be grateful for any substantiated authentic answers, which categorically address the aforementioned questions.

Jazakallahoo Khayrun

[Hinigyday]

Salams,

Its just like having a teacher of the path. Like you said all we need to do is acquire knowledge at an establishment, in that establishment obviously there are teachers teaching you fiqh, hadith and whatever else. Where a Shaykh can come in is its implementation. You said 'make an effort to implement', sometimes for some people that 'making an effort' does not come easy. A Shaykh can assist and encourage, guide the student to implement what he has learned.

1) So the shaykh can teach you knowledge, he's a teacher in tasaawuf, just as you would have a teacher in fiqh. Guiding you through personal growth towards Allah, monitoring your progress. One could rely on his own self to monitor progress, but in any science, wordly or otherworldy, having a good teacher is an easy way to reach your goal, as oppose to meandering along by yourself trying to figure it out. That said, some individuals are strong in their (fortitude) himmah, and can regulate and take account of themselves, thus may not have a need for nor a desire for a shaykh.

2) evidences of having a shaykh, or having a teacher. to me the shaykh is a teacher, a guide, a personal coach if you will. that evidence is obvious, Jibrail (alayhisalam) taught the Prophet (saw) in a student teacher format, and in turn the Prophet (saw) taught the sahaba, again in a teacher student format and also a guide. So having a teacher is any science is established due to its necessity in any sciences. As Ml. Ashraf Ali Thanawi says in his book, Path to Perfection,: One cannot become a carpenter without sitting in the company of a carpenter. Although I think you're asking more like, why do I require to give Bayat to a specific shaykh. You are not required to do this. There is no requirement, it just depends if it suits you, the concept and the shaykh himself. One can sit with teachers and learn and be spiritually motivated, but after a pledge (bayat) the relationship changes a little. Because now you've agreed that you will do everything in your power to follow what the Shaykh guides you to (Allah), and the Shaykh now has an established, vested interest in your spiritual progress. Without it, you are free to monitor your own progress, and the Shaykh is free not to necessarily monitor your progress. This can all occur if you have congeniality with a scholar, without it becoming a shaykh-murid relationship. So if you had a scholar in your local masjid and you spent much time with him, heed his advice, take ilm from him, take adab and akhlaq from him, then the same process of tazkiya (purification) is happening just in an informal format. For evidences in Bayat (pledge) specifically, there are occurrences of that in the Prophetic practice.

3) Totally. It is totally down to the individual. A Shaykh can only do so much. Its like a teacher in school. They teach, but if the students neglects to do his homework, then who is to blame? The Shaykh will not be with you in the grave, nor on the Day of Judgement when you stand before Allah. It is if you need that extra assistance in this world, a shaykh will be beneficial to you, but you must also need to have congeniality with the shaykh, a bond. Some people never really find that, and even if they do find it, they still need to work on what the Shaykh gives them. Its like a personal trainer, you still need to do the heavy lifting, but they will tell you which exercises are better for you at what stage and how much to lift.

4) The shaykh can make a profound difference. Because at the end of the day the nafs is a hard thing to control. having another experienced, enlightened individual, guide you, assist you, teach you and you benefit from him by watching how he acts, eats, prays and sleeps. In him you find a role model, a point source for guidance on matters and coach to assist you in matters that you already know about but aren't implementing.

I hope that helps. My list for suggested resources for further research are below:

http://www.al-rashad.com/The-Path-to...on_p_3139.html
Sections in this book include: The Pledge, The Nature of the Pledge, The Mode of the Pledge, The Need for a Shaykh, The Signs of a Qualified Shaykh, The Benefits of a Qualified Shaykh etc.


http://www.al-rashad.com/The-Insepar...rt_p_3590.html
Sections in this book include: Bai'a (Pledge), The Need for a Mentor and the Necessary Conditions to become a Mentor, etc.

[ArrichMer]

Assalamu Alaykum

A genuine question that came to mind is as follows:

If the objectives of tasawwuf, i.e. purification of the heart and God consciousness are obtained by adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah, then all one needs to do is to acquire the knowledge by studying at an establishment and thereafter make an effort to implement the Qur'an and Sunnah in to one's life.

(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this?
(2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required?
(3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not?
(4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make?

The aim of the aforementioned questions is not in any way to be confrontational. They are genuine questions which have been thought of after contemplation and I would be grateful for any substantiated authentic answers, which categorically address the aforementioned questions.

Jazakallahoo Khayrun

Wa'alaykumus salaam ww...good question and commonly asked i believe.

As Mufti Ibrahim Desai says:

"No Muslim can traverse the path of spirituality without the basic Faraaidh. One can easily attain Wilaayat and closeness to Allah by adhering to the Faraaidh and abstaining from sin"...

so yes you are right, implementing the Qur'an and Sunnah is a must and yes, definitely effort has to be made by the individual however why not a shaykh? We seek experts in everything else right? Islah and attaining closeness to Allah subhaanahu wata'ala is the purpose of connecting with a shaykh and he is the "expert" who will lead us on this path. The following is from www.shaykh.org

“Take the example of a person who wants to lose weight. In the initial weeks, with self motivation at its peak, he will exercise regularly, follow a special diet and do all the necessary things required to achieve his objective. However, after a few weeks once the initial motivation wanes, he will return to his old ways and will end up as he started, with no long term benefit whatsoever.

In contrast, if this person had taken professional advice from the outset, he would have been able to set a timetable and develop a manageable action plan under expert guidance. This in conjunction with the continued supervision of the dietician would have resulted in long term benefit and success in his objective.

This is precisely the example of the relationship between a shaykh and a murīd. A murīd will find great difficulty in purifying his soul and acquiring the recognition of Allāh ta’ala by himself. Thus he needs someone to slowly – but surely – guide him and take him along the path that leads to soul rectification and the recognition of Allāh ta’ala. That someone is the Shaykh.”

Shaykh once mentioned that there other methods for Islah apart from the shaykh-mureed method:

Having mentioned the best and recommended method Shaykh mentions 3 other methods which may be adopted:

1. Make a deal with friends whereby they point out all your faults. However friends nowadays could shower praise in front of you and badmouth you in front of others and also we could take offence when they do point out our faults.
2. Islah can be made through enemies; their criticism will be beneficial if on hearing it you ask yourself if it does indeed apply to you. Hadrat Shaykh related the story of Hadrat Shaykh Gangohi, who toward the end of his life, on his sick bed had his mail read out to him. He used to insist on even the hate mail read out to him because he said it gave him a chance to hear what his enemies said about him and to rectify himself if need be.
3. Don’t look for faults in others but when you do see a fault in someone, don’t think bad of them, but assess whether you too have that or other faults

...and this from my understanding so insha Allah we'll wait for the experts of SF to correct me and sorry i havent answered your questions specifically but i pray this is of help

[Hinigyday]

In contrast, if this person had taken professional advice from the outset, he would have been able to set a timetable and develop a manageable action plan under expert guidance. This in conjunction with the continued supervision of the dietician would have resulted in long term benefit and success in his objective.

I just wanted to comment further on this. With a Shaykh one's progress and hierarchy of priorities are clear. For example without a shaykh a person might spend time doing something that is nafl, and skip that which is wajib. Like attaining ilm in something that is not fard, yet missing fajr. Or someone is really focused on avoiding something that is mukruh, yet doing something that is haram. The nafs always wants to mess up priorities. With a Shaykh you can get a very clear picture as to what exactly you should work on and when. It can bring structure to your spiritual progress as there are stages of growth and you grow in a logical format as opposed to random and scattered growth. However again, one can properly prioritize and bring discipline into one's own life, set a schedule, prioritize the fard, wujub, emphasized sunnah, sunnah etc. then remove the Harams first, then makruh tahrimis, then mukruhs, then limit the permissible. etc.

[selayeffethy]

this should sum it up
http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2012/01/...%99t-get-lost/

[ArrichMer]

this should sum it up
http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2012/01/...%99t-get-lost/

[Kingerix]

Assalamu Alaykum

A genuine question that came to mind is as follows:

If the objectives of tasawwuf, i.e. purification of the heart and God consciousness are obtained by adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah, then all one needs to do is to acquire the knowledge by studying at an establishment and thereafter make an effort to implement the Qur'an and Sunnah in to one's life.

(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this?
(2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required?
(3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not?
(4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make?

The aim of the aforementioned questions is not in any way to be confrontational. They are genuine questions which have been thought of after contemplation and I would be grateful for any substantiated authentic answers, which categorically address the aforementioned questions.

Jazakallahoo Khayrun

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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.

[sirmzereigMix]

Salaam Aleikum.

I understand the value of having a 'guide' or 'teacher' present to teach islam etc.

In this case when you say 'Sheikh' is this solely used for the purpose of Tawussaf, or is this a teacher to advise you of all principles of faith, such as fique aswell?

Also would this teacher base their fique on the 4 schools of thought or could it extend to his own opinions based on hadith?

Or again is this just for gaining closeness to allah (swt)?

Jazakallah Khair

Alhumdulillah

[ArrichMer]

. Even though, Tasawwuf people over exaggerate the importance of taking a Shaykh but it is not a religious requirement.

the Shaykh tells you that you can't listen to lectures of any other Shaykh.


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.

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. .

Sorry to see you seem to have had very bad experiences with mashaikh of tasawwuf.....Allah subhaanahu wata'ala is DEFINITELY in the picture brother, in fact most of us became aware of Allah subhaanahu wata'ala, His mercy over riding His anger, His extreme generosity with us undeserving ones, His love for us etc etc because of our mashaikh...and they DEFINITELY do not tell us not to listen to other speakers ...and they DO NOT advocate hate and rivalry, in fact quite the opposite...and this is from many years of experience with listening to many different mashaikh ALHAMDULILLAAH!!

[lipitrRrxX]

My uncle, who is a scholar, has mentioned the dangers of what he calls 'shaksiat parast.' He also has reservations about how tasawwuf is practiced nowadays, but he is not the only one. If you read Mufti AS Desai, he says that it is better to read stories of our pious predecessors rather than have the shaykhs of nowadays. It gets very confusing after a while.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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.

[ricochettty]

(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.

[Kingerix]

In the fitnah filled modern times it is obligatory to have a Shaikh.

The only outlandish fatwa left now is for some fanatic Tasawwuf practitioners to claim that it is Haram to not have a Shaykh.

[ricochettty]

The only outlandish fatwa left now is for some fanatic Tasawwuf practitioners to claim that it is Haram to not have a Shaykh.

For the record I am not a Mufti.

Tasawwuf is about cleaning of inner self.
In is internal, spiritual laundry.
Allah (SWT) has told in the Noble Qur'an that he has succeeded who has cleansed himself - Qad aflaha man zakkaha.
He who wants to succeed has to go for inner cleaning and you do need a Shaikh for that.

You occasionally keep asserting that in modern times we do not need a Shaikh.
This gives an impression that some one is speaking with perspective.
To me this is not apparent and there is ample chance of this being a red herring.
Onus is on you to present the facts to us, why is not necessary to have a Shaikh in present times.
When Allah (SWT) connected success with self cleaning then was he talking about Prophetic times only? If so then why did He (SWT) forgot to sat it explicitly?

I'll wait for your evidence and I shall give you the advantage of knowing my arguments in advance.

Fas-alu ahl-ad-dhikri in kuntum la ta-almoon. Ask the knowledgeable people if you do not know. This in Godly injunction. The point to notice is that Allah (SWT) does not use Ahl-al-ilmi but Ahl-ad-dhikri. People of Dhikr. Perhaps He (SWT) had Mercy on people like us who will replace people by book. It is not difficult to replace ahl-al-ilmi with the book. Now people of Allah (SWT), the Masha-ikh are indeed people of Dhikr. I'll spare the people the a description of the amount of Dhikr our pious predecessors indulged in.

Then there is an even from the Noble Qur'an. beloved Prophet (PBUH) was asked to go and sit in the company of the people who were indulging in Dhikr of Allah (SWT). It is strange how some modern superiors debase and degrade Dhikr, may Allah (SWT) forgive. Here Allah (SWT) is commanding beloved Prophet (PBUH) to seek their company. And he (PBUH) did that - he found the Companions (RA) doing that and sat in their company. He (PBUH) was overwhelmed and recited the following supplication, "All praise and thanks are due my Lord Most Merciful who created such people that I am given orders to seek and sit in their company". This is what Mysticism is all about - to sit in the company of pious people, people of Dhikr.

I did deliberately jack up the stakes by telling to be obligatory with the hope that you shall at least consider it to be preferable . But it was not my own idea and this too was borrowed from one of those - Ahl-ad-Dhikr.
It was perhaps Shah Wasiullah Sahab (RA) Ilahabadi who said that mark my words I am telling in so many words that in modern times it is not social duty (Fard-e-Kafaya) but obligatory (Fard-e-Ain) to have self-cleaning relationship.

And Allah (SWT) knows the best.

[MexicoCity]

It was perhaps Shah Wasiullah Sahab (RA) Ilahabadi who said that mark my words I am telling in so many words that in modern times it is not social duty (Fard-e-Kafaya) but obligatory (Fard-e-Ain) to have self-cleaning relationship.

And Allah (SWT) knows the best.

Is giving bayah to a shaykh the only way to have a self-cleaning relationship?

[n2Oddw8P]

I am not sure about other Shuyukh, but a well known Sheikh of Tasawwuf in Toronto, Sheikh Zakariya Patel, as well as Sheikh Husain Sattar from Chicago, have both mentioned that taking bayah from a tariqa, or a Sheikh is not a requirement, as it's possible that one is on the path of guidance without any such formal allegiance.

However, they also mentioned that it helps to do so as it helps one to rectify oneself by being in a constant syllabus of good deeds prescribed by the Sheikh, and/or regularly being checked upon by the Sheikh.

Wallaahu A'lam.

[ricochettty]

Is giving bayah to a shaykh the only way to have a self-cleaning relationship?

No. Self cleaning is obligatory and Bayt is merely Mustahab.

Some times to draw attention to contemporary contingencies Masha-ikh over emphasize some points. It is like in a small community people going about their own business but in times of emergence everybody is diverted to a single task like building a band for protection against flood or fetching water to extinguish a blazing fire.

[MexicoCity]

No. Self cleaning is obligatory and Bayt is merely Mustahab.

Some times to draw attention to contemporary contingencies Masha-ikh over emphasize some points. It is like in a small community people going about their own business but in times of emergence everybody is diverted to a single task like building a band for protection against flood or fetching water to extinguish a blazing fire.

I agree with the bolded part, but hazrat don't issue statements like 'In the fitnah filled modern times it is obligatory to have a Shaikh.'

Yes we are a generation of people who say 'its just a sunnah' contrary to how the Sahaba treated the sunnah. But one cannot present it as a different matter just to catch attention. Mustahab is Mustahab and Fardh is Fardh.

[ricochettty]

I agree with the bolded part, but hazrat don't issue statements like 'In the fitnah filled modern times it is obligatory to have a Shaikh.'

Yes we are a generation of people who say 'its just a sunnah' contrary to how the Sahaba treated the sunnah. But one cannot present it as a different matter just to catch attention. Mustahab is Mustahab and Fardh is Fardh.

It is slightly more than eye catching Dr Sahab. You are so busy in getting connected with the Deen part of life that I am not getting much time from you in those departments where we are very advantageously located. I am again referring to the science and technology part. I assure you it is not that difficult, particularly taking the fact into account that we are responsible only up to our abilities and capabilities.

Let me try to draw your attention to a very relevant detail but first some background.
A boy younger to me died. It was a decent family. His mother went into a state which you can tell us better technically but in common language she just refused to believe that he is dead. Her elder son tried to make her cry - she did not. People tried to talk to her about the deceased son but she said do not talk so loud Ashok is sleeping. She completely blocked out the reality, the inconvenient reality. This was an old incident.
A few years ago husband of a neighbourhood girl died - in our locality itself. She was not crying and we were all tense about that. After some effort she did break down, by the Grace of Allah (SWT).

These are the things that hit us hard. These things have always been in life. But there are some new things that are happening. We adopt the same attitude towards them - the attitude of two women in above incidents. We try to put them away from our minds. I am no psychologist but I do feel that this reality must be integrated in some way into our worldview, our reality map, our individual as well as collective psyche. Incorporation is must while we resort to exclusion.

In earlier times we only had the calamities. In current times their density, number and frequency and intensity as well as probability has increased many fold. This is the reality we are refusing to incorporate in our experience, our mind set. West is already caving in under its onslaught but we are not immune either. The specter is already in our backyard - I mean India particularly for we have been aping the west a lot. I hope you understand what I mean but if you don't then please ask. I myself feel very pressured to talk about these things.

And you can get out of the knots only if you acknowledge that you are in knots. Recognition and acceptance of reality is the first step towards remedy.

I feel we are surrounded by such diverse demands from so many sides that we do need protection, extra protection from Allah (SWT). Tasawwuf is the solution.

Finally you can talk to the practitioners in psychiatry and tell us about the level of emotional distress and its trend in present times. I suppose even internet will have that. Only if I had the courage to search it.

[paypaltoegold1]

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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.

I agree with 90% of what you have said and I also agree that there is no “requirement“ to have a Shaykh, never was and still isn’t.

However, in your mind isolate Tassawuff from what’s happening in the name of Tassawuff in our times; or better to say worry about your “Tazkiyyah” and work at it whatever best way you can.

What’s happening in our times in the name of Tassawuff may Allah (SWT) save the Ummah from such things. Most people on this forum have not had high level direct dealings with Mashaykh and their Senior Mureeds, they simply listen to talks (or admire people) or attend a Majlis so it will be very hard to convince them of think of any other way so its a futile discussion. The only way to look at “Modern Tassawuff” for what it is to either you have life obliterated by it OR someone gain the wisdom from Allah (SWT) to see what its doing to the Ummah. Most people will simply curse you, abuse you, humiliate you or even make Takfeer on you. OR least call you a Salafi

[sallythetolly]

Those who are in islahi talluq with a sheikh knows its benefits like how it affects them and their life and how much it brought the fikr of islah, akhirat and so on. Such people know its importance and i dont think this will be understood by those who do not have such contacts and so I am not surprised with the comments but I dont think this will change others who have the contact of shuyook as they have experienced many positive things. As long as it helps one to progress in deen, islahi talluq is highly appreciative irrespective of people's views against it. Allahu alam