“Indeed, this knowledge is the basis of the Religion! So look carefully towards whom you take your Religion from.” [Umar Ibn Al-Khattab]
Knowledge is taken from people
Knowledge is a profession, and every profession has its experts. Islamic knowledge is taken from a Shuyukh – from the chest of people who received it, who were enlightened by it, lived and embodied that teaching and are able to convey it to others. So what at the qualities of people whom we can take knowledge from?
Indicators for an authentic Shaykh
“The Shuyukh are those who have put their knowledge into practice, who are sincere and truthful to the True One and His ways to His nearness. They are the deputies of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who have been singled out to call to Him. They are the physicians of the religion and the teachers of the people. Accept them and surrender your ego to them.” [Imam Abdul Qadir Jilani]
First and foremost, the Shaykh is someone who is outwardly established in the Shari’ah, and inwardly a knower of Allah, possessing knowledge, certitude and realisation. In his knowledge, he has the unbroken chain of truth and connection through one authentic Shaykh to another, in a continuous chain reaching back all the way to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who is the source of all religious sciences. He has thereby inherited the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in his knowledge (Talim), in his character (Tarbiyah) and also in his state (Hal). He has followed a successive chain of Shuyukh who have nurtured him to see his true reflection, to facilitate for him to continue to purify his own soul, to turn away from the love of this world, the love of prestige and power and instilled in him the good manners and characteristics of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). This unbroken chain authenticates him and the licence from his own Shaykh certifies him to guide others.
Shaykh – A servant of the Deen
A Shaykh is not necessarily someone who has a big entourage, with devotees at his beck and call readily to serve him, rather, you will find that Shaykh himself is a Khadim (servant) of the Deen of Allah. A Khadim of Allah is not looking to profit from people or gain materially from his service, rather, he has full trust in Allah’s promises and that He will reward him appropriately. As the Qur’an states:
“No reward have I asked of you: my reward is only due from Allah and I have been commanded to be of those who are Muslims” [Yusuf: 10:70].
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life and We shall give them their reward according to the best of their deeds” [Al-Nahl: 16:97].
The Shaykh is therefore someone who lives in this world but not of it. His heart is turned away from the love of this world, the love of wealth and it’s vanities. He is someone who shuns away from all loves other than the love of Allah. He has no concern for his desires other than what Allah desires of him. He has devoted almost if not all of his life in the education, implementation, preservation, promotion and propagation of the Deen. After spending much of his life in learning and educating himself in the Deen, he serves the remainder of his life in the service of the Deen by teaching and conveying the prophetic legacy to the next generation. In the absence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he acts as one of his deputy – looking after the general welfare of the Ummah. He is therefore a Godsend; in the service of people and is taking care of their well-being.
Not every learned person is suited to be a Shaykh
‘A shaykh is someone who must be learned yet not that every learned one is fit for it.’ [Imam Al-Ghazali]
Not every knowledgeable person is suitable to be a Shaykh because they’re not complete in both knowledge of the outward sciences and the Tarbiyah science (spiritual knowledge). Some may be very learned through book based studies or blindly repeat what they have heard others say, you should avoid them, as they lack genuine insight and experiential knowledge. Some are knowledgeable and lack outward practice, you should avoid them also. Beside, should you follow those who cannot guide themselves to act and so how can they guide others?
May Allah make us amongst the fortunate ones to have an authentic Shaykh’s company – for they are a light of the light of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a manifestation of Allah’s care and guidance for us, and a gateway to our eternal happiness.
