Spiritual Courtesies of a Murid with His Shaykh

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is extracted from Qawa’id at-Taswawwuf by Imam Ahmad ibn Ahmad az-Zarruq (q.s.). 

The spiritual courtesies of a murid with his shaykh and fellow wayfarers are five: Following the directions of the murshid, even if it is contrary to one’s own preference; avoiding what the murshid forbids, even if it would appear to be highly adverse to the student; maintaining utmost reverence for them in their presence and absence, during their lives and after their passing; giving them their due according to one’s ability without stint; and relinquishing one’s own understanding, knowledge, and leadership to that of the teacher, unless these are already in accordance with one’s teacher. 

Should the seeker not find a murshid or find one who is lacking in any of these five conditions, he should depend on him only in those conditions the shaykh fulfills.  As for areas he is wanting in, he should treat him like a brother regarding them.  Thus ends the five foundations with the praise, help, and perfect success of Allah (s.w.t.).


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