Q 4: What is the meaning of this saying said by Sufis: "So-and-so is the owner of time and one of those who disposes of people's affairs''? What is the ruling on a person who believes in this saying? Is it permissible to perform Salah as a Ma'mum (a person being led by an Imam in Prayer) behind this person who holds these views?

A: So-and-so is the owner of the time... etc. Means, there is a person who disposes the affairs of mankind by driving away their hardships, rescuing them from distress and bringing them what they want of benefits. He who holds these views is a Mushrik who associates others with Allah in Lordship and disposing of the affairs of mankind. Performing Salah behind such a person is impermissible. Such a person should also not take the lead of Muslims. He should not be an Imam in Salah because of his sheer Kufr (disbelief) and Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). This kind of Shirk is worse than the Shirk of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). Allah (Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?" They will say: "Allâh." Say: "Will you not then be afraid of Allâh’s punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allâh)?" Such is Allâh, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be, save error? How then are you turned away? (Part No. 2; Page No. 271) There are many other Ayahs (verses) that confirm this meaning.