Emphasizing the importance of taking a Shaykh Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘A Shaykh is needed to maintain the balance.

It is in this regards that Hadhrat Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) made such a novel statement,

‘Bring a change in yourself in such a manner that no fingers are pointed towards you.’

If in bringing about this change fingers are pointed towards you (meaning people are surprised by the sudden extreme change in you and talk openly about it) then it will be a trial (fitna) for you and chances are that you will return to your previous state.

Bring a change like a child develops gradually and becomes an adult. “

Islahi Majalis, volume 3, page 95

To bring such a change a Shaykh is indispensable.