Malfoozat Hakimul-Ummah Hazrat Thanvi

This Path is Very Delicate

In a conversation, he said: 

"This path is very delicate. One may understand it through the company of a true scholar, otherwise, it cannot be fully comprehended through books alone, nor can one succeed by relying solely on them. Just like one cannot become a skilled physician by merely reading medical books without spending time with an expert. If such a person were to treat a patient, that patient would not be safe. Similarly, the condition of a spiritual patient would not improve either; who knows what wrong methods a misguided person might adopt, leading to harm instead of benefit. To recognize a true guide, one needs the testimony of another accomplished person. Nowadays, ignorant people have become spiritual guides and have tarnished this path with their ignorance. May Allah grant us sound understanding."

Malfoozat Hakim-ul-Ummat, Volume 1, Page 150