Are the Sufi sayings and beliefs regarding the life of Al-Khidr, meeting the Prophet (peace be upon him) while awake, the necessity of taking a sheikh, and considering Sufi orders as educational institutions, correct and in need of conclusive evidence?

Evidence for the death of Al-Khidr (peace be upon him) is mentioned in Fatwa no. 44175. Seeing the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) while awake or meeting him after his death is not possible, and we have mentioned this in Fatawa no. 34829 and 62641.

What the Sufis claim regarding the necessity for a murid (disciple) to take a shaykh (spiritual guide) is nothing but servitude and humiliation. This is based on principles such as: 1. Absolute obedience to the shaykh and not disagreeing with him or objecting to him. The slogan is: "Be in the hands of your shaykh like a dead body in the hands of the washer." 2. The impermissibility of denouncing Sufi shaykhs, even if the denouncer has evidence. They claim that the saint sees the truth and correctness and is not bound by schools of thought, and receives directly from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). 3. The belief that the shaykh has his own special Sharia, and that outwardly blameworthy actions may issue from him, but they are inwardly praiseworthy, and one must submit to this.

As for the claim that Sufi orders are educational schools, it is false, due to their inclusion of deviations, innovations, and polytheistic matters.