The Qualities of a Tariqa Shaykh

Question

Zayd is a spiritual guide of the tariqa and in most of his practices is a strict follower of the Sacred Law, but one of his habits is this: he often takes his midday nap (qaylula) in such a way that he knowingly and deliberately performs a second congregation (jama’at thaniya) for the zuhr prayer. This is almost always his regular practice. Although it has already been pointed out to him that the second congregation does not carry the same reward as the first.

Answer

For bay’ah, a shaykh must possess knowledge of the religion to the extent required. He must be characterized by sound beliefs (‘aqa’id haqqa), noble character and righteous deeds. Under the guidance of some genuine (muhaqqiq) shaykh, he must have already rectified in himself such base traits as love of status, love of wealth, ostentation (riya’)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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