In Search of a Spiritual Guide
Many of us rightly seek advice for their spiritual purification and advancement and in this path seek individuals who can be seen as role models and guides.
I think a person should always look for people who he could look up to for spiritual guidance and role models. However there are a few points that In my view should be seriously taken into consideration with this regard:
- The real and genuine people who are capable of being spiritual guides for others are normally very humble. They are not keen to show others any of their spiritual gifts. In fact they often do not like to make themselves known to the others. It is the others who have to chase them and convince them to spend some time with them.
- We can of course learn from any person who has some spiritual advances even if he/she is not a Muslim. However when it comes to finding a spiritual role model within the fold of Islam then being a strict follower of Shari’ah should be one of our main criteria. For a Muslim, no spiritual level justifies being mindless to the law of God.
- We need to appreciate that (at least for a Muslim) the best tool for spiritual advancement is to follow the directives and the spiritual tools of God’s religion and to excel in them. It is expected that a true spiritual role model of a Muslim too make his/her teachings and advice accordingly. Innovative acts of worship have no place here,
- If we are interested in getting spiritual guidance then our aim should be to learn rather than to become a member of a club. The idea that we need to find one person who we would follow no matter what, is against rationality and is not in line with the spirit of Islam. The correct attitude is to take every opportunity to learn and become better, and to always compare and assess the validity of any given advice based on rationality and the teachings of religion. No spiritual leader, no matter how excellent he/she might be, should stop us from this.
May God guide us all in His path through the best of His servants.
September 2013
I think a person should always look for people who he could look up to for spiritual guidance and role models. However there are a few points that In my view should be seriously taken into consideration with this regard:
- The real and genuine people who are capable of being spiritual guides for others are normally very humble. They are not keen to show others any of their spiritual gifts. In fact they often do not like to make themselves known to the others. It is the others who have to chase them and convince them to spend some time with them.
- We can of course learn from any person who has some spiritual advances even if he/she is not a Muslim. However when it comes to finding a spiritual role model within the fold of Islam then being a strict follower of Shari’ah should be one of our main criteria. For a Muslim, no spiritual level justifies being mindless to the law of God.
- We need to appreciate that (at least for a Muslim) the best tool for spiritual advancement is to follow the directives and the spiritual tools of God’s religion and to excel in them. It is expected that a true spiritual role model of a Muslim too make his/her teachings and advice accordingly. Innovative acts of worship have no place here,
- If we are interested in getting spiritual guidance then our aim should be to learn rather than to become a member of a club. The idea that we need to find one person who we would follow no matter what, is against rationality and is not in line with the spirit of Islam. The correct attitude is to take every opportunity to learn and become better, and to always compare and assess the validity of any given advice based on rationality and the teachings of religion. No spiritual leader, no matter how excellent he/she might be, should stop us from this.
May God guide us all in His path through the best of His servants.
September 2013
