Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
One way of serving the Buzurgaan-e-Deen (Pious Deeni Elders) is that one looks for all those responsibilities or tasks of the buzurg which normal people have the ability to fulfil, and thereafter, one takes on the responsibility to fulfil these tasks on his behalf. In doing so, one will be of assistance to them by allowing them to be free to dedicate their time and abilities towards the greater works of Deen which generally they have the ability to accomplish.
For example, if you are able to take on the responsibility to carry out the tasks of a certain Shaikh, ‘Aalim or Mufti, and free him from that work, then when these Buzurgaan-e-Deen engage in the greater works of Deen (e.g. attending to people’s reformation, giving bayaans to the public, teaching Deen, issuing fatwas, etc.), then they will be able to engage in their work with more peace of mind and more focus.
If one serves the Buzurgaan-e-Deen in this manner, one will also have a share in the reward of the greater works of Deen which they fulfil. Thus, in actual fact, engaging in the khidmah of the Buzurgaan-e-Deen is a means of attaining a share in the reward of the greater works of Deen which they engage in.
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas [rahmatullahi ‘alaih] pg. 130-131)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za