How does someone become a shaykh? Is a formal degree required?

A true shaykh is the one who has been on the journey of Tasawwuf under the guidance of his shaykh, and who has the knowledge and understanding of both Islamic jurisprudence and the discipline of Tasawwuf.

Among the basic conditions for a true shaykh are that he has been publicly authorised by a true shaykh, connecting him through an unbroken chain of authorisation back to the Prophet ﷺ, and that he has travelled the path of Tasawwuf under the guidance of his shaykh. He must also be aware of the Shariah law, able to answer the questions of the seekers or humble enough to ask the scholars when he does not know, and worthy of the position to be taken as an example. [Keller, Sea without Shore 271]

It is important that one must follow a shaykh who has knowledge of the Book and Sunnah. It does not mean that he must possess a formal degree from a religious school; rather, it suffices that he has studied Qur'anic exegesis.

He is not required to have memorised the Qur'an, neither is he required to have studied principles of jurisprudence, theology and hypothetical matters related to Fiqh and fatwa. The objective of bay'ah, the pledge taken with a shaykh, is to command the lawful and prohibit the unlawful, to remove blameworthy traits and practise praiseworthy traits, and therefore the shaykh should have enough knowledge of Deen to guide the seeker.

University qualifications or research may show a person's attainment for the purpose of a degree, but cannot be substituted for the purpose of ilm, or true knowledge, as it is not authenticated by the unbroken chain.