shaykh accepts him as a murīd, it is necessary for the murīd to observe outward and inward respect for his shaykh.

In this era of trials and tribulations, pledging bayꜤah with Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ or becoming a ṭālib of his is a tremendous blessing.

He is the great individual who, along with fulfilling the obligations and essential duties of Islam, has adhered to the Sunnah and mustaḥabbāt, and spread the call to righteousness with such vigour that, through his blessings, millions of Muslims have been granted the ability to repent from their sins.

Those who were neglectful of prayer became steadfast in performing the five daily prayers, and even became imams, leading others in this act of worship. This positive impact is not limited to Muslims. Countless non-Muslims, once lost in the darkness of disbelief, have been guided to the light of Islam.

Dear Islamic brothers! We have just heard who qualifies as a shaykh and what qualities he must possess. Now, let us also learn about  bayꜤah and its purpose.

The meaning and purpose of bayꜤah

BayꜤah refers to placing one’s hand in the hand of a worthy shaykh, repenting from past sins, resolving to avoid sins in the future, intending to perform righteous deeds, and taking the shaykh as a means of attaining the recognition of Allah Almighty.^[1]

The true purpose of becoming a murīd is that, through the guidance and spiritual attention of the shaykh, one may walk upon the straight path, living according to Shariah and Sunnah.

Who is a perfect murīd?

Dear Islamic brothers! There are certain manners a murīd must observe to receive spiritual blessings from his murshid. Let us listen to some of them.

1. Always be respectful towards your murshid, for the one who is respectful attains blessings, while the disrespectful do not. Sayyidunā Dhu al-Nūn al-