What is the ruling on the saying: "Every Muslim must have a guide who directs him to Allah, and he must accompany and obey him"?
The phrase "He who has no sheikh, his sheikh is Satan" can be understood in two ways:
1. The False Meaning: This is what contemporary Sufis do when they obey their sheikh with absolute obedience, even if it contradicts the Sharia, and innovate dhikr and acts of worship, and their saying: "Be in the hands of your sheikh like a dead body in the hands of its washer," and "He who says to his sheikh 'why' will not succeed."
2. The Correct Meaning: That the wali (saint/guardian) here refers to the scholar who calls to Allah with insight. Accompanying him and benefiting from him is essential for a Muslim, as he clarifies the correct worship, warns him against tribulations, and illuminates the path to his Lord, provided that this sheikh meets the necessary conditions. It is recommended to adhere to the People of Sunnah and shun the People of Innovation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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