Once, the scholars of Mazahir Uloom asked Hazrat Hakim-ul-Ummat (may Allah have mercy on him), "Why is there so much blessing in your knowledge? Do you engage in extensive book-reading (Kutub-Beeni)?" He replied, "We have read the exact same books that you have read, but we have practiced 'Qutub-Beeni' (gazing upon and staying in the company of the spiritual pivots/saints) more than 'Kutub-Beeni' (reading books)."
Acquiring the knowledge of religion is indeed necessary, otherwise a person remains ignorant, but when the knowledge of religion—which is like gold—is touched by the borax (Suhaga) of the company of the people of Allah (Ahlullah), it attains true radiance and refinement. Therefore, each one of us should find a spiritual mentor (Murabbi) and Sheikh according to our compatibility, establish a formal reformative relationship with them, and ask them for some form of remembrance (Zikr).
Hazrat Hakim-ul-Ummat (RA) states that staying near a Sheikh is like sitting in front of a fire, but when you go away from there to your wife and children, you will cool down. That is why he said to take the potent essence (Kushta/tonic) of Zikr from the Sheikh, so that even when you go far away from the Sheikh, you will remain warm. Just as Hakim Ajmal Khan, wearing a fine muslin tunic, used to ride a horse-drawn carriage (Tanga) for an hour before dawn in the peak of winter to tour Delhi—because he used to consume a medicinal Kushta—he (Hakim-ul-Ummat) said, "Learn the Kushta of Allah’s name, then even if you go far away from the Sheikh to your own countries or your own villages, you will remain warm; meaning, you will remain steadfast with faith (Iman) and righteous deeds."
