Is a Shaikh Faradh for Reformation?

Q: Is it faradh to go to a Shaikh for self-reformation? Why can’t one do this on his or her own?

A: If it was possible for a human to achieve spiritual reformation and rectitude on his or her own then there would be no need for Allah to send His Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa sallam to this world. One of the main functions of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was to provide tazkiyah or spiritual reformation.

Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran: “It is He who has sent among the unlettered people a Rasool from among them; he (the Rasool) recites to them the Verses of Allah, and he purifies them spiritually…” (Surah Jumu’ah, verse 2) The As-haab radhiallahu anhum acquired spiritual rectitude and rehabilitation directly from Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and they in turn reformed other members of the Ummat, and ever since this chain of reformations has continued unabatedly.

The Holy Quran commands: ‘O Believers: fear Allah and associate with the Truthful Ones’ (Surah Taubah) By always associating with pious people, one finds it easy to achieve reformation. Treading the Path of Sulook is like undertaking a journey towards an unknown place. Without a guide this is almost impossible.

Is Bay'ah Compulsory?

Q: Is it compulsory to take Bay’ah at the hands of a Shaikh?

A: Bay’ah is not compulsory, but sunnah.

Are Terms 'Tasowwuf' and 'Mureed' Bid'ah?

Q: Are the terms ‘tasowwuf’ and ‘mureed’ etc. not Bid’ah, because they are not mentioned in the hadith of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam? I have heard some Arabs say this.

A: These are technical terms devised by the masters in this subject. Every science of Islam has its own technical terms, which have absolutely no origin in Quran or Sunnah, but have been used by Ulema throughout the centuries without any objection whatsoever. In hadith we have terms such as Saheeh, Hasan, Dha’eef, Mu’dhal, Mursal, Musnad, Muttasil, Munqati’ etc. These terms are not found even in the times of the Sahaaba, but were instead created by the masters in the Science of Hadith. No one terms these words as a ‘bid’ah’. There are numerous similar examples in the other branches of Islamic learning, like Fiqah, Tafseer, Nahu, Sarf, Balaaghah, etc. These technical phrases have become accepted as part of Islam.

Zikr with Guidance of a Shaikh

Q: Is it necessary to make zhikr under the guidance of a Shaikh?

A: This is not necessary but preferable, for in most cases a qualified and experienced Shaikh will prescribe thikr that is beneficial for the Mureed’s spiritual progress.

Abdaals, Qutub and Ghowth

Q: Do we the Ahlus-Sunnah believe in Abdaals, Qutub, and Ghowth, or are these titles just fairy tales?

A: The titles Abdaal, Qutub, Ghowth, etc are genuine titles for different categories of Auliyaa (Saints) which appear in authentic hadith. When Sayyiduna Ali radhiallahu anhu was in Iraq then one day someone asked him to curse the people of Syria. Hazrat Ali radhiallahu anhu refused to do so, and remarked: “I heard Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say: ‘The Abdaal are in Asia minor (Shaam or Syria are its environs). They are forty in number. Every time one of them dies, Allah sends another in his place. Through them people receive rain, and through them victory is granted over enemies. They are also the cause of punishment being warded off from the people of Shaam.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad, and declared Saheeh by Allama Suyooti).
Many Scholars of Hadith have mentioned different versions of this hadith but with the same meaning. Some hadith mention words such as Autaad, Nujabaa, and Nuqabaa for different levels of Saints.

Tasowwuf in a Nutshell

Q: Can you explain tasowwuf in a nutshell?

A: Tasowwuf is basically the method of cleansing oneself from lowly and debase qualities, and adorning oneself with good and noble character. There is nothing beyond this in tasowwuf. To achieve this, the Mashaaikh or Spiritual Guides of Tasowwuf will prescribe different forms of zhikr, mediation, and acts of worship. The most important of all prescriptions in tasowwuf is adherence to the sunnah. One cannot achieve moral reformation and regeneration by flouting Shariah or perpetrating acts of bid’ah.