Is it compulsory to be bay‟t to a sheikh?

Answer

Bay't to a sheikh is not Waajib. Islaah (reformation) of the Nafs is Waajib. While a Shaikh is necessary to guide one, in today's time most so-called 'shaikhs' are bogus. Beware of them. They will blow up your Imaan and ruin your Akhlaaq. If a sheikh is not a strict follower of the Shariah and Sunnah, then do not venture near to even his shadow, for he will then be a veritable shaitaan. The substitute for a sheikh if one is not available, is to daily read the kitaabs of the Auliya. Their kitaabs constitute the Khaanqah of this era.