at his prescriptions. He conceals from him nothing he knows God knows of him, serving him while he retains sanctity with him. If that sanctity falls from his heart, he should not remain with him a single hour: he will not benefit and will suffer harm. Companionship benefits only through respect. When the sanctity returns within his heart, he serves and benefits from him.
(Shaykhs Whose Example Is Followed)
Shaykhs are of two kinds. Some know the Book and Sunnah, affirming them outwardly and realizing them inwardly, observing God’s limits, fulfilling His covenant, and maintaining revealed law’s prescriptions. They make no interpretive concessions in scrupulousness, taking caution and shunning people of confusion.
They care for the community, detest none of the disobedient, love what God loves, and hate what God hates through God’s hatred. No blamer’s blame overtakes them concerning God. They “command what is right and forbid what is wrong” [Al ʿImran 3:114] by consensus, “hasten to good things,” and pardon people. They honor the elder, have mercy on the young, remove harm from God’s way and people’s way, and call toward good according to the more obligatory first.
They deliver rights to their possessors and do good to their brethren, indeed all people. They do not confine generosity to acquaintances; their generosity is unrestricted. The elder is a father to them, their equal a brother and peer, and the younger a son. All creatures are their household, whose needs they attend to.
When obedient, they see the Real granting success in obeying Him. When disobedient, they hasten to repentance
Notes
Translator’s note TN4794-1: The consensus qualification belongs to the wrong being forbidden, rather than authorizing correction of every disputed act. The previous paragraph expressly conditions useful companionship on respect for the shaykh.
