Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (قدس سرہ) said,
Their is extreme exaggeration in the belief of the ignorants regarding (the veneration of) their Spiritual mentors (Shaykh/pir).
Even those with knowledge are not free from exaggeration, though they don’t consider their Shaykh to be equivalent to God but they have exaggeration in terms of unveiling (Kashf), for example they believe that when the Shaykh is attentive towards the hidden he can find out matters (which are hidden). May Allah Ta’ala save us from this deadly misguidance.
The second manifestation and form of this exaggeration is in consulting the Shaykh in worldly matters.
It took (me) a long time to understand this issue. They believe that whatever the Shaykh says will surely bring success.
Some make interpretation that whatever is uttered will have blessings (“Barakah”) in it.
Whereas, blessing are (actually) in making supplications (Dua), so why don’t they suffice on (requesting for) Dua.
Is this the true meaning of blessings?
Failure can also be a form of it.