Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is acclaimed that one should consider his Shaikh superior to all other (Shuyukh).

Apparently there seems to be a contradiction in this and what Allah says,

…………….Above every man of knowledge, there is someone more knowledgeable.[12:76]

(To reconcile these) it must be clear that if one thinks like this due to overwhelming love (sukr e muhabbat) then he is excused.

If one is not in a state of overwhelm-ness than he should think that in living individuals I can not find anyone else who can benefit me more (spiritually) than this individual.
This is what my Shaikh sayyidi wa sanadi al Haaj Mohammad Imdadullah (Allah have mercy on him) said.’

Taleemud Deen, page 126