Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once addressed a certain ‘Aalim of a madrasah who was experiencing some problems and gave him the following advice:
One of the main reasons for you people falling in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala, and subsequently losing respect in the sight of people, is that you do not show respect to those pious servants of Allah Ta‘ala through whom you are linked to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Deen. Rather, you are more worried and concerned about your relationship with people of wealth with whom you are connected for worldly reasons.
Look! My relationship with you is solely for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Previously, I sent a message to you calling you to come and see me, yet you did not come. However, when so-and-so person wrote a letter to you calling you to come and see him, then you immediately responded. The apparent reason is that the person who called you is more wealthy, and you receive donations from him and from others as well, through his influence.
Therefore, this is the main weakness in us today – we do not wish to listen to and accept the advice of those through whom we are connected to Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and who convey to us the message of Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (therefore, on account of giving preference to wealth and worldly relationships over Deen, we are experiencing problems today).
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas [rahmatullahi ‘alaih] pg. 85)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za