Spiritual Teachers

The teacher is there to g;lkjgdlkfg;ldkfguide us in our spiritual journey and prescribe the appropriate methods to encourage our spiritual progression. The teacher is good at establishing each seekers needs based on their our own individual situation and circumstances, he is very good at designing a type of concentration that each seeker of spirituality requires e.g. a sensitive personality may benefit more with a gentle approach and an overly confident person may benefit from a more stern approach. All good is from Allah, including positive energy (noor) and no energy can be received or distributed without a chain that is a true and unbroken link to the master of chains Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing be Upon him) ultimately all blessing and purity is given by Allah.

The Necessity for a Spiritual Teacher 

If a person wants to learn any art form or gain knowledge/science he will seek help from an expert in that field. Knowledge of Allah is the most difficult secret in the universe. It can only be achieved with the help of its experts, the friends of Allah. Only these people can be accepted as Teachers (guides). The following quotation define the need and guidance of a authentic teacher.

Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jailani (blessings be upon them) brings home the necessity of a Spiritual Teacher in a beautiful metaphor. He says: 

"The heart is the plantation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter). Sow the seeds of Imaan in your heart. Irrigate, fertilise and mature it with regular good deeds. If there is kindness and energy in the heart it will be fertile and an abundant harvest will result. Should the heart be harsh and contemptuous, the soul becomes infertile and barren and no crop will be able to grow. Learn this art of farming by its farmers/experts. Our Prophet (Peace be Upon him) says, Seek help in every field from an expert in that field". 

- (Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 202)

Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jailani (blessings be upon them) said: 

"Arrogance, hypocrisy, egoism, are all arrows of Satan aimed at your hearts. One should formulate a strategy to defend oneself from this attack. The correct strategies are explained and demonstrated by a authentic trained spiritual teacher's (Guides). You should heed to their commands and act on them. They will guide you on the path of Allah since they have already travelled on this path. Ask their advice on matters relating to the Nafs (carnal desires), cravings and other weaknesses because they have also suffered their consequences and are well aware of the dangers and harms of evil desires. They have battled these over a long period of time and can confront, control and defeat them". 

- (Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 150)