Dear Tulab,

I would like to share an important message with you today that is very close to my heart.

There are many people who do not really understand the path of inner purification. They often only see the sheikh as an important person in society who gives them advantages or strengthens their self-esteem, simply through the contact or respect they show him.

This attitude remains as long as the sheikh does not address their bad qualities or criticize them. As long as they only experience the gentle, loving and warm side of the scholar, they remain loyal to him and even defend him passionately.

But as soon as the sheikh mentions their bad character or criticizes them, they often lose respect and turn away. Some even become enemies. Such people are out of place in scholarly circles and harm both themselves and those around them. They also prevent others from benefiting from the scholars.

Knowledge and education in Islam are inextricably linked. Education has two sides: a soft one and a hard one. Only those who are truly sincere follow this path, no matter what comes their way from the Sheikh. They really want to be educated and are prepared to accept both the pleasant and unpleasant sides of education. However, those who are still ruled by their ego will only seek the pleasant aspects and information from the Sheikh. Allah will soon deny such people these blessings.

This is one of the greatest challenges in the work of a sheikh. However, a true scholar must remain consistent and unperturbed by it, whether it makes his community smaller or larger. The advice of my venerable Sheikh Muhammad Al Hasan bin Ahmad Al Khadim is that a true Sheikh must remain unperturbed and steadfast no matter what trials come his way.

As for me: I will, in shaa Allah, follow this path all my life, always carrying the wisdom and advice of my Sheikh Muhammad Al Hasan bin Ahmad Al Khadim in my heart.

Your true brother is not the one who is related to you by blood, but the one who wants to know Allah and worship Him in the best way. Support such people as brothers, fathers and best friends. The rest are trials from Allah that must be endured in silence.