What if the shaykh’s advice goes against what you want?

When a seeker's shaykh gives him advice that is against his own wish, the seeker should still follow it and trust his shaykh's wisdom. He must not question the shaykh about the advice's positive or negative aspects, and must not present his own opinion to him.

Allah would still bless the seeker for his intentions, and the blessings of the true shaykh would emanate for him. Every word of his shaykh the seeker must acknowledge as true, and where he is unable to comprehend the meanings, he must consider it his own flaw.

This belongs to the etiquettes, the adab, that a seeker keeps with his shaykh: to listen carefully and carry out his instructions to the best of his capability, to consult him on the major decisions of life, marriage, travel and profession among them, and to follow his advice in worldly and spiritual matters.

Each individual has his own pace on the path of Tasawwuf, and his adab with the shaykh is one of the main factors that determine it. When a seeker measures his shaykh's judgement by the merits of his own, that is one major hindrance.

What passes between a shaykh and a seeker is a connection between hearts, with the knowledge absorbed by the soul, the ruh, and the seeker benefits from the shaykh only if he holds him in respect. A doubtful heart in the seeker can restrict both the benefit and the flow of that knowledge.

It is narrated that while the Prophet ﷺ was delivering the Friday sermon, a man came and stood at the doorway of the Masjid, and when the Prophet ﷺ told him to sit down, he immediately complied and sat on the spot. Of course the Beloved Prophet ﷺ intended him to come inside and listen, but the Companion out of love and respect obeyed the words. Respect and obedience of this kind are of utmost importance for anyone who hopes to benefit spiritually from a true shaykh.

Even seekers who lack capacity would reach the station of Divine Love, if they stay connected with the shaykh and listen to his advice.