Who is a true Pir and who are the imposters?

The signs of a true shaykh has always been submission to the shariah, by following the teachings of one of the four schools of fiqh, and a complete submission to the inner and the outer sunnah of Rasoolallah (S.A.W). This is based on the idea that the Prophet (S.A.W) is the nearest and most God conscious of Allah's (S.W.T) creation. His daily acts are an example of how Rasoolallah (S.A.W) lived his life.

For example, the Prophet's (S.A.W) treating others with kindness, soft speech, humility, preference for white clothing, growing of a lengthy beard, use of the Miswaak (tooth stick), etc are all intentional acts of service to Allah (S.W.T). If someone lacks these sunnah’s, while claiming they can help bring you closer to Allah (S.W.T), know that they will eventually lead you to a dead end.

Finally we would like to leave you with some beautiful sayings and teaching of great Auliya Allah (Friends of Allah).

Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (R.A)

“How can you guide others when you are blind yourself,
only men of spiritual insight can guide others”.

Hazrat Pir Mehr Ali Shah (R.A)

“The view held by some people that the sufis do not observe the Shariah is totally false and misleading. The fact is that no group of Muslims equals the true Sufis in their love
for the Prophet (S.A.W) and their adherence to His (S.A.W) Shariah”.

Hazrat Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri Data Ganj Bakhsh (R.A)

“The Sufi Shaykhs are physicians on men’s soles”.

“Ignorant Sufis are the vilest creatures of Allah (S.W.T), just as wise Sufis are the noblest”.

“Religion is the root and Sufism is the branch”.

Hazrat Shah Bahudin Naqshband (R.A)

There was once a King, who visited Shah Bahaudin Naqshband (R.A) and sat observing his assembly. Afterwards, when they were eating, the King said: “Teacher of the Age! Your disciples, when you are in session, are arranged in semicircles, and in an orderly manner very similar to that of my own Court. Is there any significance in this?” Bahaudin (R.A) answered: “King of the World! How are your own deciples arranged? Tell me, and I shall describe the ordering of the ranks of the seekers.”

The King said the first arc, “Is composed of those who are of special favour with me, so that they are nearest. The second of the most important and powerful people in the realm, and the ambassadors. The outer rank is for all the less ones.”

Shah Bahuddin (R.A) said: “Our arranging of the people is far from the intention expressed by you. Those nearest to me are the deaf, so they can hear. The middle group is composed of the ignorant, so that they may pay attention to the teachings. Farthest away are the Enlightened, for whom closeness of this kind is unimportant.”

Inshaallah we hope this brief information we have presented will help you make the correct decision on what is a true Shaykh, please visit www.janathimessage.co.uk literature section for more information.