Q: A Sudanese person living in AlAnbar says: In our country we have various sects. Each sect follows a certain shaykh to guide and teach them and believe that he will intercede for them with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. They also believe that whoever does not follow a shaykh will go astray in this life and in the Hereafter. Should we follow those shaykhs or not? Please, advise us! May Allah bless you!
A: All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, his Companions, and those who follow his guidance! What the questioner mentions about having in their country shaykhs whom they follow and the belief that one who does not have a shaykh will be astray in this world and the Hereafter is Munkar (an act which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). It is not permissible to follow or believe in such things. This relates to the Sufis who believe that their shaykhs are the leaders and that it is obligatory to follow them blindly. However, this is grave error and utter ignorance. There is no one in this life whose footsteps are to be followed and commands taken as an obligation except the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
As for scholars, they sometimes err. It is not permissible to adopt an opinion of any person, even great scholars, unless his opinion is in conformity with Allah's Shar' (Law) which Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed. The belief of the Sufis with regard to their shaykhs is Batil (null and void) and wrong. They must repent to Allah and follow the guidance with which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent. Allah (Exalted be He) states, Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ to mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur'ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins.
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And, And perform AsSalât (IqâmatasSalât), and give Zakât and obey the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) that you may receive mercy (from Allâh).
By the star when it goes down (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed.
O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. And, And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allâh (He is the ruling Judge). And, "And verily, this (i.e. Allâh's Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become AlMuttaqûn (the pious see V.2:2)."