I belong to the Qaadiriyyah Sufi sect. We have a Shaykh who is called Ghawth Az-Zamaan (the succour of the time) whom they say that he is in contact with Allaah and His Messenger, and they seek his help, so what should I do?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger as well as that of his family and all his companions.  

All the Soofi sects have deviations in belief and creed, and strayed from the correct Path and the proper guidance, so they associate others to Allaah in worship and call upon others than Allaah. They also seek the help of the dead people and believe that the Awliyaa’ (the pious and righteous people) can benefit and harm them. All these acts are beliefs which take the person out of the fold of Islam, and whoever believes in this is a non-Muslim. Allaah Says (what means): {Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him (in worship), but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allaah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.}[Quran 4:48]. Allaah further Says (what means): {Say, [O Muhammad ], “I only invoke my Lord and do not associate with Him anyone. Say, “Indeed, I do not possess for you [the power of] harm or right direction.” Say, “Indeed, none can protect me from Allaah’s punishment (if I were to disobey him), nor can I find refuge in other than Him.}[Quran 72:20-22]. Taking the Awliyaa’ (the pious and righteous people) and Shaykhs as mediators whom they call upon beside Allaah, and perform acts of worship in order to get nearer to them [by vowing or slaughtering to them], and wipe over their graves for the purpose of seeking blessings, is no different from the disbelief of the polytheists at the time of the Prophet as Allaah Says [about their relationship with their idols] (what means): {And those who take protectors besides Him [say], “We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allaah in position.”}[Quran 39:3]. In many cases the Soofies are committing greater acts of disbelief by which they associate partners to Allaah than the polytheists of the time of the Prophet as the former called upon other than Allaah at times of peace but at times of fear they sincerely turned to Allaah. Allaah Says (what means): {And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allaah, sincere to Him in religion [i.e. faith and hope]. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.}[Quran 29:65]. Contrarily, these Soofies call upon other than Allaah at all times [at times of difficulties and ease]. In addition to this, they invented many inventions in the religion of Allaah. It is confirmed that ‘Aa’ishah narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) that which is not a part of it; it will be rejected.”. [Al-Bukhari] On the day of Judgement people would gather around the pond of the Prophet and he, would say: "May nation, my nation!” He will be told: “You do not know what they invented after you (i.e. in matters of the religion)."

Therefore we advise you not to join any Soofi group, rather you should stay away from them and advise those whom you know amongst them, as the essence of religion is advice. You are obliged to seek religious knowledge on the hands of the scholars who are confirmed to be trustworthy in their belief and religious knowledge, so that you will worship Allaah with knowledge and insight far away from associating partners with Him and far away from innovations.

Naming the said Shaykh with Ghawth Az-Zamaan (the succour of the time) is an objectionable name which is derived from that deviated belief, as they devote to them some attributes that are only peculiar to Allaah.

Furthermore, it should be noted that after the Prophet died, he is disconnected from this worldly life and is not in contact with anyone at all, but he did not die until the religion of Allaah was complete. Allaah Says (what means): {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have chosen Islam as a religion for you.}[Quran 5:3]. The real contact with the Prophet is not through pretended dreams which may lead to many deviated beliefs, but the real contact is by sticking to his guidance and way, and being careful from acting against his teachings. Allaah Says (what means): {So let those who dissent from his [i.e. the Prophet’s] orders, legal ways, acts of worship, beware, lest some trials and tribulations strike them, or a painful punishment befall them.}[Quran 24:63]. Allaah Says (what means): {And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided.}[Quran 24:54].

Allaah Knows best.