‘On what grounds, O Messenger of Allah?’
He replied, ‘On account of the good and bad testimony.’”
Once this is understood, many of those renowned as shaykhs in these times may have such ignorance, misguidance, disobedience, and sins as would prevent people from bearing such testimony on their behalf. Indeed, they may include hypocrites and openly sinful people, just as they include Allah’s pious close friends, His righteous servants, and His successful party. Likewise, both kinds are found among those who are not shaykhs—in Paradise—and among merchants, farmers, and other such groups.
Since this is so, whoever seeks to be gathered with a shaykh whose ultimate fate he does not know is misguided. Rather, he must hold to what he knows and ask Allah to gather him with His Prophet and His righteous servants. As Allah Most High says:
“But if you both support one another against him, then surely Allah is his Protector, as are Gabriel and the righteous believers.”
Allah Most High also says:
“Your only allies are Allah, His Messenger, and the believers—those who establish prayer, give zakah, and bow in worship.”
“Whoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and the believers as allies—surely it is the party of Allah that will prevail.”
Accordingly, whoever loves a shaykh who contravenes the Sharia will be with him; if that shaykh enters the Fire, he will be with him.
It is well known that shaykhs who contravene the Book and the Sunnah are people of misguidance and ignorance. Whoever is with them will therefore share the fate of the people of misguidance and ignorance. As for those who are among Allah’s pious close friends, such as Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmān