1-The Benefits of becoming a Murîd

1-
By Shaykh Ashrafali Thanawi (ra)
There are several benefits in becoming a murîd:
1. At times a person errs in the different methods of reforming the
heart that were mentioned previously. The shaykh shows the correct
path in this regard.
2. At times the effect and benefitthat one derives from a book is not
as great as that which one would have obtained from the guidance of a
shaykh. One gainsthe barakah of the shaykh. Furthermore, if the murîd
displays any shortcoming in carrying out a good act or commits an evil
act, he will be ashamed of this in front of the shaykh.
3. The person develops confidence and love for the shaykh. Based on
this, he is inclined to follow and emulate the ways of the shaykh.
4. If the shaykh is strict in giving his advice or displays his anger,
the person does not feel offended and endeavours to actupon his
advice.
There are many other benefits which are acquired by those whom Allah
has favoured. Thesecan only be known by acquiringand experiencing
them.
Qualities to be found in the Shaykh
If a person wishes to become a murîd, he should first consider the
following factors in the shaykh. If the latter does not possess these
qualities, do not become his murîd.
1. The shaykh must know the masâ'il of Dîn. He should not be ignorant
of the Sharî'ah.
2. He must not possess any quality that is contrary to the Sharî'ah.
His 'aqâ'id (beliefs) must be the same as those that have been
mentioned in Part One of Bahishti Zewar. He should not possess any
quality that is contrary to all the masâ'il and all those things
connected to reformation of the heart that have been mentioned in this
book.
3. He must not be carrying out this programme (of shaykh and murîd) as
a means of sustenance. (That is, he must notbe doing it for financial
gain).
4. Become the murîd of a person who is regarded as a pious person by
the majority of good people.
5. Become the murîd of a person who is spoken highly of by good people.
6. His programme of instruction must be such that one develops a love
and inclination for Dîn. This can be gauged by looking at the
condition of his murîds. Even if fifty-sixty percent of his murîds are
good, consider such a shaykh to be effective. Do not have doubts on
him by looking at the condition of a few murîds. You may have heard
that the pious persons have a lot of effect. This (looking at the
condition of his murîds) is the criterion whereby one gauges the
effect and power of a shaykh. Do not gauge the effect and power of a
shaykh through other means, such as somethingoccurring exactly as he
mentioned it to you, someone getting cured by his mere touch,that a
ta'wîdh worked accordingto the reason for which he gaveit to you or
that if he fixes his gaze on a person he becomes completely entranced
and at a loss. Never be deluded by these effects and powers.
7. The shaykh must be such thathe does not take into consideration the
status of his murîds when giving them advice of the Dîn. (That is, he
does not favour his murîds when it comes to reprimanding them in
matters of the Dîn). He stops them from useless and foolish things.
Once you have found such a shaykh, seek permission from your parents
(if you are unmarried) or from your husband (if you are married), and
become a murîd of such a shaykh solely for the purpose ofputting your
Dîn in order. If your parents or husband do notpermit you to become a
murîd, do not become one as it is not fard to become a murîd. However,
it is fard to tread the path of the Dîn. You should therefore continue
treading this path even if you are not a murîd of a shaykh.
Rules connected to the shaykh and murîd
1. Be respectful to your shaykh. Remember the name of Allah in exactly
the way shown to you by your shaykh. Have the following belief with
regard to your shaykh: "The spiritual benefits that I can gain from
this shaykh cannot be gained from any other shaykh."
2. If the murîd's heart has not been reformed properly as yet and the
shaykh passes away, hemust become a murîd of another shaykh in whom
the above-mentioned qualities are found.
3. When you come across any wazîfah in any book or read about the
frugal life of someone, do not act upon it on your own accord. Ask
your shaykh about it first. If any good or evil thought enters your
heart or you decide to do something, first consult your shaykh.
4.Women should not remove their purdah in the presence of their
shaykh. At the time of becoming a murîd, do not shakehis hands. It is
permissible to take the oath of allegiance (bay'ah) by holding one end
of a handkerchief or piece of cloth while he holds the other end. A
verbal bay'ah is also sufficient.
5. If you mistakenly become a murîd of a person who acts contrary to
the Sharî'ah, or if he was good in the beginning and later changed,...