Notice: What has been previously mentioned points to the fact that the teacher (al-Mulaqqin) is considered a representative of the Sheikh, may Allah be pleased with him, in the tangible realm. As the Shaykh is the link to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in means of transmission of the wird.
Therefore, the teacher teaches in a state of being absorped in the Shaykh, without intermediaries, that the seeker (Murid) is considered a murid of the Sheikh, and not of the teacher.
This is why the Tijani seeker himself is free regarding the teachers; he can regard the teacher as being in the same position as the Sheikh in obeying him and adhering to proper etiquette with him until he finds him.
He can also regard others in the same position as the Sheikh if he does not attain his objective, since the teachers are not equal in aspirations, and their himma corresponds to the extent of their absorption in the Sheikh.