The Meaning of the Sufis' saying: "...if the owner of time frees us."

Question :

What is the meaning of the saying of those among the Sufis who say: "... if the owner of time frees us. And the disposal is in his hands."
What is the ruling on one who believes this, and is it permissible to pray behind him when this is known about him?

Answer:

The meaning of "... if the owner of time frees us." etc. is (the belief) that there is a human being who holds the matters of creation in his hands and that he has the ability to order their affairs, relieve them of their hardships, liberate them and save them from the calamities which befall them and conveys to them whatever is good - in their view - which Allah wills. Whoever believes this, is guilty of associating partners with Allah in Lordship and the disposal of affairs in matters of creation. Prayer behind such person is not correct, and it is not allowed to entrust him with matters concerning the Muslims, nor to place him as an Imam for them in prayers, due to his clear Kufr and obvious Shirk, which is more evil than the Shirk of the period of pre-Islamic ignorance. Allah, the Most High says:
Say: "Who provides for you from the sky and from 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: "Allah." Say: "Will you not then be afraid (of Allah's punishment for setting up rivals in worship with Allah)? Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be except error? How then are you turned away.
and other such Verses.

Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 1 Pages 18-19