A: This is a common misconception posed by some Sufis to encourage people to join them and pattern after them in their aberrant acts and religious innovations. Accordingly, whoever understands his religion by attending Halaqahs (learning circles) and contemplating the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) can not be accused of following Satan. Rather, he is endeavoring to seek knowledge and attain much benefit. However, a knowledge seeker should adhere to scholars who are noted for their sound `Aqidah (creed) and conduct. He may ask them about whatever confuses him, for whoever does not resort to people of knowledge will tend to blunder and become extremely confused. But, if a person persists in attending the Halaqahs and listening to lessons from people of knowledge, they will achieve much benefit and welfare, even if they do not follow a particular shaykh. There is no doubt that whoever attends Halaqahs, listens to Friday Khutab (sermons), other Khutab delivered on different occasions, and lectures presented in Masjids (mosques) will be following many shaykhs, even if he is not affiliated to a specific one whom he patterns and follows.