Does it become mandatory on a salik/murid when his shaykh tells him to perform any wazifa or muraqaba or other nafl prayers? Would I be held accountable for not doing these acts as prescribed to me by my shaykh. Also can you please give some information on what are my responsibilities as a salik/murid to my shaykh?
Regarding one portion of education from a sheikh related to the obligatory deeds of religion, things which are necessary from the religious point of view, one has no choice but to follow the sheikh and if someone doesn’t follow those teachings then he will be liable and responsible. The other portion of education, which is related to meditation and other recitations, is only for discipline; improvement of character and enlightenment of spirituality and those teachings should be followed as well. If someone is lazy about the latter form of teachings then his character would stay unimproved. However, from the shariah’s point of view he doesn’t have to do all those recitations and extra worship such that if he doesn’t do it he will not be responsible or sinful for it. But, if someone has chosen someone as a sheikh then one should try to follow his teachings in everything and follow it completely, otherwise, the amount of benefit will be greatly minimized. There are many things in which a sheikh has a right over his followers, one of which is that a person should have a good opinion of his sheikh, don’t doubt him, and have loyalty to him and a belief that if Allah willing I should benefit from this person. Then one should report the sheikh of his conditions of life and have a belief that he will think the best for me and decide for me, which is most suitable and beneficial, and then whatever the sheikh says just follow it in practice. “There are three rights sheikh has over you memorize them oh son, trust, loyalty, and obedience” one should trust his sheikh, have loyalty for him and finally practice what he says.
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