Hundred Questions - Spiritual Guide (pir-u murshid)
Spiritual Guide (pir-u murshid):
Q73 Is there a need for an external guru (pir-u murshid)?
A73 You have posed an incomplete and ambiguous question. It is not clear whether the question is about the necessity and importance of the Imam or a pir or a mu`allim (teacher). Whatever it may be, we will discuss it on both levels. If by guru you mean the Imam, then the existence of the Imam is extremely necessary always and in every condition, for guidance on sirat-i mustaqim is impossible without the Imam of the time. If by guru you mean a rank below the Imam, then that too is necessary.
The importance and necessity of the Imam of the time and the bounties and blessings which the religion continues to receive from him are mentioned everywhere in this book. Regarding this, true Isma`ilis have no doubts at all. However, it is important to ask at the present time, after the Imam, i.e. under the Imam, is there a need for teachers, wa`izin and scholars or not? And in order to attain this goal, do any large institutions run in the world of Isma`ilism on behalf of the Imam or not? The answer is definitely positive. This means that these institutions and these personnel are successors to the hujjats, da`is and pirs of our past. Whatever maybe their names and titles, the duty of work and the service of knowledge are the same as they used to be in the past. The doors of progress in knowledge and spirituality are still as completely open as they used to be in the past.
If you keep in view all those blessed farmans of Mawlana Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (May peace be through him) pertaining to the progress of the true mu'mins in knowledge and spirituality, the full enthusiasm of progressing and working like pirs will be created in your heart even without a title.
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