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Yeah neither did i. But how cute isn't Apa jee... its even better than Dudu miah!!!

Back on topic. This is a nice thread. I like this article from interislam......

The need of a Sheikh
It has always been the divine scheme of things that perfection cannot be attained without a teacher or an expert instructor. In the same way, a person needs guidance in the beginning of a driving course so to a person needs guidance in Tasawwuf.

The companionship of a pious person will include piety in you. Similarly, the companionship of a evil person will induce evil in you. To gain the nearest rank to Allah, one has to have a guider i.e. Sheikh who has reached that level as well. A short while spent in the companionship of the pious is more superior to a century of ordinary obedience. Companionship with the pious for even a moment can be superior to a century of abstention and worship. The best of creations, the Messenger also had a teacher, his teacher was the Angel Jibraeel. If the leader of mankind, Muhammed was in need of a guider then we are more in need of a guider and a Sheikh.

The Prophet then became the teacher of the companions and the Sheikhs of the nations of their time. He diagnosed the spiritual diseases of the companions and created the quality of Ihsaan in their lives. They reached the highest level in all aspects of their lives. There is, therefore, always need for a man to have another person as his guide and instructor, who can practically demonstrate to him whatever knowledge he wishes to learn or whatever aim he desires to achieve. This is the very same reason that Allah sent Messengers and Prophets who were made to instruct and practically demonstrate to all of Mankind.

see full article www.inter-islam.org/faith/tassawwufshk.htm

No problems with any of these articles and examples and references except for a pious person doesn’t ALWAYS equate to a Shaykh (in Tassawuff).

1. Our Imam at the Mosque is nearly 70 and a student of Shaykhul-Hadeeth (Maulana) Zakariyya (RA) and very knowledgeable and very pious.
2. There are dozens of Ulamah in UK (and worlwide) who are equally pious and knowledgeable YET no Shaykhs (of Tassawuff).
3. There are thousands of men and women in UK (and worlwide) who are equally pious and knowledgeable YET no Shaykhs (of Tassawuff).

[35:28]
And among humans and beasts and cattle, there are those having different colours as well. Only those of His slaves fear Allah who are knowledgeable. Surely Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

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.

Qur'aan is not the book of a human but divine and Allah (SWT) declares:


[8:2] Certainly, the believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when (the name of) Allah is mentioned; and when His verses are recited to them, it makes them more developed in faith; and in their Lord they place their trust.

So if anyone simply recites it then it works as its the declaration of My Lord (SWT).



P.S: I am not undermining Tassawuff but pointing out a fact.