If a person wants to learn any art form or gain knowledge/science he will seek help from an expert in that field.
Knowledge of Allah Ta’ala’s Zaat (Being) is the most difficult secret in the universe. It can only be achieved with the help of its experts, the Awliya Allah. Only these people can be accepted as Murshids (guides). The following quotation define the need and guidance of a Murshid.
Ghausul A’zam, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jailani (radi Allahu anhu) brings home the necessity of a Murshid in a beautiful metaphor. He says: "The heart is the plantation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter). Sow the seeds of Imaan in your heart. Irrigate, fertilise and mature it with regular good deeds. If there is kindness and energy in the heart it will be fertile and an abundant harvest will result. Should the heart be harsh and contemptuous, the soul becomes infertile and barren and no crop will be able to grow. Learn this art of farming by its farmers/experts, the Awliya Allah.
Do not think your opinion to be sufficient. Our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) says, ‘Seek help in every field from an expert in that field’". (Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 202) Ghausul A’zam (radi Allahu anhu) said: "Arrogance, hypocrisy, egoism, are all arrows of Shaitaan aimed at your hearts. One should formulate a strategy to defend oneself from this attack. The correct strategies are explained and demonstrated by the Mashaa’ikh (Guides). You should heed to their commands and act on them. They will guide you on the path of Allah since they have already travelled on this path. Ask their advise on matters relating to the Nafs (carnal desires), cravings and other weaknesses because they have also suffered their consequences and are well aware of the dangers and harms of evil desires. They have battled these over a long period of time and can confront, control and defeat them". (Al-Fath-ur-Rabbani, pg. 150)

SEARCHING FOR A MURSHID

Ghaus-ul A’zam (radi Allahu anhu) says: "If a person is unable to differentiate between a true and false Murshid, he should read 2 Rakaats Nafil for achieving recognition of Allah at Tahajjud time. Then he should ask Allah to inform him of those pious people who will be able to guide him on the Right Path. He should beseech Allah to show him the person who will intoxicate him with Allah’s love and adorn the eyes of his heart with the light of Allah’s closeness and inform him of unseen happenings that he personally witnessed". (Insha-Allah by doing so, one will receive the answer)(Al-Fath-ur Rabbani, pg.146)
If someone is unable to do this then he should seek the advise of a well versed Sunni Aalim. At times, people take advice from the ignorant and become Mureeds of Shaitaan. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all. Aameen.

THE MURSHID AND HIS COMMITMENT TO SHARI’AH

The Murshid is obligated to follow the commands of Shari’ah with absolute respect and dedication. The role of the Murshid is to enlighten the path of those who are astray with righteousness and guidance. A "Murshid" who does not respect and follow the Shari’ah is himself in darkness and totally incapable of illuminating (rating someone else’s path or guiding them). Such people are disciples of Shaitaan and the enemies of Islam. Some Murshids go about sowing doubts in the minds of their followers. They teach that Salaah and Saum (Fasting) are outward forms of worship and should be left to the Ulama. They claim that they practice and worship with their hearts only. Such Mushids are astray and mislead their followers too. They feast in Ramadaan openly mocking the Shari’ah and Tariqah. Yet, ignorant Mureeds are convinced that these people will transport them into Jannah. It is strange that bodily requirements like eating, drinking, sleeping, taking medication and other physical activities are done promptly. It is only those physical duties commanded by Allah Ta’ala and Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that strain their bodies and they choose to perform it with their heart. Why do they not perform other functions like eating and drinking with the heart? "True Saints only feel hungry once in forty days". (Kashful Mahjoob, pg. 444)
It should be remembered that Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), his Noble Companions, the Tabi’in, Taba Tabi’in, the true Saints, and the Allah-fearing people never performed such "hearty" Salaah or Saum. These are physical forms of Ibaadah, which have to be performed bodily. They should be performed not just with the heart; they should be carried with the heart and mind completely engrossed in Allah’s worship.
Hazrat Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) demonstrated the importance of Salaah when he was fatally wounded by Abu Lulu. He performed Fajr Salaah even though bleeding profusely and said that those who do not perform Salaah have no part in Islam. (Izaalatul Khifaa, Vol. 4, pg. 281)
Some "Murshids" deny the Absolute Unity and Oneness of Allah Ta’ala (Tauheed). They believe Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to be the "Lord" and regard this as the supreme secret of Tasawwuf. To justify their evil beliefs, they misuse terms like "Anal Haq" which is sometimes uttered by Saints in a state of spiritual intoxication. (The nature of the "Anal Haq" phrase will be explained later on.)
When the Ulema-e-Haq challenge such blasphemous claims, these fraudulent "Murshids" hide behind false claims that the Ulama are mere followers of Shari’ah and un-informed of inner knowledge. To protect their fraudulent practices, they instruct their Mureeds not to publicise their teachings because others would not understand the finer points and implications of this so-called "inner knowledge". They do this so that they may not be exposed. They also keep their Mureeds away from the Ulama so that the Mureeds must not become aware of their tricks and their means of income is not terminated.
Sultaanul Aarifeen, Hazrat Sultaan Bahu (radi Allahu anhu) affirms that when a person steps in the area of Tasawwuf (Durwesh-hood) he should diligently follow the demands of the Shari’ah. He should follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah at every step and he should keep the company of the Ulama and Fuqara. He should only do those things advised by the Shari’ah and refrain from those actions that are prohibited by the Shari’ah. He should not allow either carnal desires or evil temptation to influence him. (Mihakul Foqaraa, pg. 93)
Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hujweri (radi Allahu anhu) writes: "A group of heretics have joined the Sufis. They preach that once obedience to Shari’ah is intensified to such an extent that Wilaayah (Sainthood) is achieved, Ta’at (obedience to the Laws of Shari’ah) is no longer necessary. This is an incorrect and false claim. In the path of truth, there is absolutely no stage where Ta’at becomes redundant". (Kashful Mahjoob, pg. 312)
Hazrat Data Saahib (radi Allahu anhu) emphasizes that to achieve Wilaayat, the compliance to the Sunnah of Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is definitely required. (Kashful Mahjoob, pg. 455)
Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh (radi Allahu anhu) explains the relationship of Haqiqah and Shari’ah as follows: "Shari’ah without Haqiqah is a farce and show and Haqiqah without Shari’ah is hypocrisy. Pretence and hypocrisy are both the ruination of Imaan. Allah Ta’ala says: ‘Whoever exhibits Mujaahidah (continuous striving) towards us, We will show them Our path’. Mujaahidah is Shari’ah and guidance towards the path of Allah is Haqiqah. Shari’ah functions to protect the outward and Haqiqah guards the inner conditions of the Believer". (Kashful Mahjoob, pg. 526)
One should note that Shari’ah is established on the firm foundation of Quran, Sunnah, Consensus and analogy of the Jurists. If a person disputes any particular analogical Mas’ala and is equipped with substantiating evidence, then the matter is not so serious. However, when a person openly defies the Quran, Hadith and ‘Ijma (consensus), he not only gives up any claim to being a Murshid, but of also being a Muslim.

EXPECTATIONS THAT A MUREED SHOULD HAVE IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE MURSHID

Some people become Mureeds hoping for financial prosperity, release from the worldly hardships and living a comfortable life. At times, the Awliya Allah bless their Mureeds with worldly favours. The Mureed should avoid worldly motives and take Bai’at (pledge allegiance) solely to attain Allah Ta’ala’s Ma’rifah, cure the soul and express true repentance. He should have the pure intention of complete obedience to Allah Ta’ala and The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COMPETENT AND AN INCOMPETENT MURSHID

Sultaanul Fuqara, Hazrat Faqir Nur Muhammed Sarwari Qaadri (radi Allahu anhu), defines a perfect Shaikh as one who discards the Nafs (carnal desires), purifies the soul and cleanses the mind of his Mureed for the sole purpose of guiding his disciple on the correct path and delivering him to Allah. A perfect Murshid does not attain worldly gain.
A false Sheikh takes Mureeds so that his worldly status is boosted. The Mureed gives his hard-earned income to his Murshid who lives a luxurious lifestyle, which cannot even be afforded by the affluent people. These "heavensmarketers" have furnished their homes with the trappings of Hell and have they become the Fuel of Hell.
A disciple must first evaluate the Murshid in the context of worldly transactions. As soon as he is convinced of a selfish or worldly motive he should immediately disassociate himself from such a Murshid. The Murshid should not claim his status because of lineage, rather, he should have been under training of a perfect Sheikh and practiced upon the spiritual exercises, travelled the inner paths and be well versed with all the stages of spiritual progress. Acquiring oneself with books of Tasawwuf or attaining superficial knowledge of Jurisprudence or logic or being born in the household of a pious person or claiming Khilafat (permission to take Bai’ah) from a false Murshid does not qualify one as a Murshid. One cannot hope for any guidance (Hidayah) or grace (Faiz) from such a false Murshid. Unfortunately, these pretentious Murshids roam our streets in abundance causing mayhem and chaos. May Allah Ta’ala grant Hidayah to these customary Sheikhs (Peers) and bless the Mureeds with better judgement. (Irfaan, pg. 326)