10/25/2009

the question:

Is it necessary to follow a guide (Murshid) on the path to Allah Almighty?

God bless you and thank you.

Name: Saula Al Maha

 

Reply:

Praise be to God Almighty, prayers and peace be upon our Master, the Messenger of God.

For every path there is a guide or a leader (Murshid). The more significant the path, the more important the guide becomes. The path to Allah (God) Almighty is from the loftiest goals and the principle of taking a guide is clear to the disciple (Mureed*). Allah Almighty urged that in His saying, Glory be to Him:

{— the Most Merciful, so ask about Him one well informed} [Surat Al-Furqan 25:59].

The reality of what the believer needs is an excellent and righteous role model on the path, supported with knowledge and action, for this was the duty of the final Prophet, upon him be the best prayer and complete peace, his family and all his companions, as Allah Almighty said:

{There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often} [Al-Ahzab 33:21].

We are in a dire need of a good example to follow his actions and to keep motivated, especially in this time when temptations and charms of the world have increased.

Allah Almighty knows best.

* A Mureed is a person who desires to spiritually advance in Islam under the tutelage of an expert (Murshid).