Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The thing to look for in a pious individual (Shaikh) is the proportion of his share in following the example (itiba-e-Sunna) of our master Prophet (Allah have mercy on him).

Anecdotes of unveiling (makashifat) etcetera are all tales of mesmerism. They are are subservient to thinking powers (i.e. Influencing and manipulating another individual’s thought).

The real thing is the degree of following the example of our master Prophet (Allah have mercy on him).

(However) This compatibility (munasebet) with him (our master Prophet (Allah have mercy on him) must be spontaneous and persistent. This is because for a couple of days everyone can feign (to follow).’

Husn al Aziz, Malfuz # 417, volume 1, page 41-2