It is quite a task to get baya in Ashrafiya tariqa.
Until and unless the Shaykh is sure that there exists a mutual congeniality (munasbet) between him and the potential murid, baya is postponed.
Why?
Baya is not something trivial. It is an immense responsibility. Some compare it to marriage. So until one is absolutely sure to the best of his abilities that this is the right Shaykh and he himself is ready to take the responsibility it is best to maintain a relationship with a Shaykh for one’s religious betterment (islahi ta’luq) and wait on the baya.
This is a principle of Ashrafiya tariqa.
Violating principles always results in problems.
It is for this purpose Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) used to tell his disciples,
“Here we spray a repellent to cast away the pests. Only the sincere can remain here.
Whats the use of gathering a crowd? Do I need to enlist an army?
Few able murids are better than hundreds of inept ones.”
Hadhrat Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) had announced that,
“If a person is able to break away any of my murids’ I will award him fifty rupees and if that murid is a scholar (‘alim) the reward will be five hundred.”
Similarly, Qutub e ‘Alam Hadhrat Mawlana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (may Allah have mercy on him) had made a similar statement.
Shaykh is in no need of the murid’s devotion. To him Allah who is Besought of all, needing none is enough. It is the murid who is completely dependent on the Shaykh for his religious betterment.
It must be clear to the murid who secedes that in reality it is not him but the maShaykh of the tariqa who have turned away from him. This may be because of his callousness to Shariah rulings, involvement in innovations (bida) or unhealthy company of pseudo-sufis/anti-sufi individuals.
May Allah save us from this!
Assalamu ‘Alaikum,
With regards to your statement, “It must be clear to the murid who secedes that in reality it is not him but the maShaykh of the tariqa who have turned away from him…….”, I would also add that leaving a Shaykh, who cherishes good reputation among the righteous scholars and pious laymen, and whose outward actions are in agreement with sunnah, may give the impression that there was some deficiency in either his tareeqa or his self. If one is not benefitting from such a Shaykh, he should evaluate his sincerety and commitment rather than deciding to move on. I may dare say that upon doing so, one will most definitely find fault with one’s own self instead of the tareeqa or the Shaykh! May Allah keep us on the straight path. Ameen.