8 SIGNS OF AN ACCOMPLISHED SUFI GUIDE

1. He must be knowledgeable (aalim) in the matters of Deen. It is forbidden (Haraam) to take an oath of allegiance (Bait) on the hand of a person devoid of religious knowledge.
2. His beliefs must be right. An improper belief has nothing to do with Sufism
3. He must strictly adhere to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), as all excellence emanates from obeying the Holy Prophet
4. He should never venture close to Polytheism or invent new practices into the religion
5. He should not be running after worldly things, as love of Allah and love of the world cannot reside in one heart simultaneously
6. He must be accomplished in the disciplines of Tasawwuf and Sulook, as he would not be able to guide others if he does not know the way himself
7. He must be conversant with the ways of the inner training of his students, and must have received this training from some expert of Sufism
8. He should be able to establish a spiritual link between the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) and the seeker. As the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) is the only link between man and God