Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

THE NECESSITY FOR A MURSHID

If a person wants to learn any art form or gain knowledge/science he will
seek help from an expert in that field. Knowledge of Allah Ta`ala`s Zaat
is the most difficult secret in the universe. It can only be achieved with
the help of its experts, the Awliya of Allah Azzawajal. Only these people
can be accepted as Murshids (guides). The following quotation define the
need and guidance of a Murshid.
Ghausul A`zam, Hadrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jailani (radi Allahu anhu)
brings home the necessity of a Murshid in a beautiful metaphor. He says:
"The heart is the plantation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter). Sow the
seeds of Imaan in your heart. Irrigate, fertilize and mature it with
regular good deeds. If there is kindness and energy in the heart it
will be fertile and an abundant harvest will result.
Should the heart be harsh and contemptuous, the soul becomes
infertile and barren and no crop will be able to grow. Learn this
art of farming by its farmers/experts, the Awliya Allah. Do not
think your opinion to be sufficient.
Our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) says, `Seek help in every
field from an expert in that field`".
(Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 202)
Ghausul A`zam (radi Allahu anhu) said: "Arrogance, hypocrisy,
egoism, are all arrows of Shaitaan aimed at your hearts. One
should formulate a strategy to defend oneself from this attack.
The correct strategies are explained and demonstrated by the
Mashaa`ikh (Guides). You should heed to their commands and act
on them. They will guide you on the path of Allah since they have
already travelled on this path. Ask their advise on matters
relating to the Nafs (carnal desires), cravings and other
weaknesses because they have also suffered their consequences
and are well aware of the dangers and harms of evil desires. They
have battled these over a long period of time and can confront,
control and defeat them". (Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 150)

THE ONE WITHOUT A MURSHID HAS SHAITAAN AS ONE`S

MURSHID

Murshids are two types:

A. Murshid Aam (General Guide,) and
B. Murshid Khaas (Specific Guide)
The Murshid Khaas comprises of the Sheikhul Ittisaal and the Sheikhul
Isaal.
The Murshid Aam comprises of the Quran, Hadith, the writings of the
Jurists, the Murshids, authorities of Tasawwuf, the writings of the
scholars, and the writings of the people of guidance and righteousness.
The guide of the general public is the Kalaam (Speech and Writings) of
the Scholars. The guide of the Ulema or Scholars is the writings of the
Imaams of Fiqh. The guide of Imams of Fiqh is the Sunnah and Hadith of
Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The guide of the Noble Prophet (Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the
Quran/Speech/Revelation of Allah.
From this it can be seen that the Murshid Aam is an absolute necessity.
A person without guidance of both the Murshids, i.e. Khaas and Aam is
under the reign of Shaitaan. It is in this sense that A`la Hadrat, Moulana
Ahmed Raza Khan Barelwi (radi Allahu anhu) writes that Sayyiduna
Baayazid Bustaami`s (radi Allahu anhu) declaration in "Awaariful Ma`arif"
that those without a Murshid (Khaas and Aam) have Shaitaan as their
guide. (Fatawa Afriqa, pg.124)
[Taken from: The spiritual guide and the seeker, Abdun Nabi Hameedi
Attari]

Ibn Ajiba says:

In the path of Sufism, keeping the company of others (suhba) is of
tremendous consequence in the journey to Allah, in accordance with the
wont of Allah Most High and His wisdom. Some have even said, Whoever
has no sheikh [but travels the path alone] has the Devil as his sheikh.
Another has said, A person is like a [fruit] tree growing up in the wild: if
not trimmed and pruned, it becomes a scrub. And Abul Abbas al-Mursi
has said, Whoever has no sheikh in this matter is not to be rejoiced
over
[Iqadh al-himam, 9596]
In the Quran Shareef:
Siparah 15, Surah Bani Israel (17), Verse number 71
Yauma Nad'oo kola onasim bi imamihim
Ala Hazrat Azeemul Barkat Rahmatullahi 'alayh translate this part of the
Ayat-e-karima:
The day when we shall call every people with their leaders
[Kanzul Iman]
Tafseer by Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Rahmatullahi 'alayh:
From this we learn that we should make a pious person our leader in the
world, through taqleed in Shariah and baiat (taking mureedi) in the path
of Tareeqat (mystic way of life) so our end will be with the pious. If he
does not find a pious leader or guide then his guide would be Shaitaan. In
this verse there is ample proof for Taqleed, Baiat, Mureedi.
[Tafseer Noorul Irfan]

Hazrat Maulana Tatheer Ahmed Razvi Sahib Qibla says:

He who does not have a Sheikh, His Sheikh is Shaitaan refers to Peer
Aam and not Peer Khaas
Aala Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu) says, That Sunni Sahihul Aqida who
accepts the righteous Imams, understands the necessity of Taqleed
(following one of the four Imams Shafiee, Maaliki, Hambali, Hanafi), and
is a true follower of the Awliyah Allah, and is firm in his belief and on the
straight path, is never without a Peer, for his Peer is the word of Allah
and His Rasool, the Aima (Imams) and the hidden and apparent Ulama,
even though if in reality he has not given his hand in the blessed hands of
any Pious Servant of Allah.
(Niqaa-us-Sulafa Fi Ahkaamil Baiat Wal Khilafa Pg 40).
WHAT SHOULD ONE DO IF YOU DO NOT FIND A TRUE PEER?
Remain firm on the correct Aqida. Act upon the commands of the
Shariah, and love and revere all the Awliyah Allah and the Ulama who are
worthy of respect. Once someone asked Huzoor Ghaus-e-Azam (radi
Allahu anhu) this, What is the condition of that person who takes your
name (with love) and has not given his hand in your blessed hand or
worn your khirqa, Is he from amongst your disciples?? Huzoor Ghaus-eAzam (radi Allahu anhu) answered by saying, Whomsoever links himself
to me and enters his name into my disciples, then Allah will accept him,
and he shall be in the congregation of my mureeds.
(Fatawa Afriqa pg 140)
With the exception of this, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhadith-e-Dehlwi
alaihir rahma says, Whomsoever does not find a Kaamil Peer with all the
necessary conditions, He should send Durood Shareef in abundance upon
the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).