Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that it was the tareeq (way/methodology) of the Akaabir Mashā’ikh to firstly attend to the reformation of the disciples A’maale Zaahirah (the deeds which are the effects of his attitude and character) before imposing on the disciple Wazaa’if and Nawaafil (devotional practices and optional ibaadah), and the ta’leem (teachings) of Sulook. The Mashā’ikh would first attend to the reformation of razaa-il (evil and base characteristics).
Nowadays many Mashā’ikh pay no heed to this requisite. The consequence is that while the disciples become experts in Awraad and Wazaa’if (incantations), their evil attributes remain the same. There is no importance accorded to distinguishing between Halaal and Haraam, truth and falsehood. Thus, they bring disgrace to the Tareeq (Tasawwuf).
(SOURCE: MALFOOZAAT OF HAZRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI SAHIB رحمه الله, PART 6)