Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
If someone is considering taking the path, must they have dreams or see other signs about the shaykh before doing so?
No this is not necessary. The seeker must have a true desire and a sincere intention to turn completely to Allah. Then when they find a shaykh they need to feel in their heart that it is the right decision. The shaykh must of course be qualified to assist people in travelling the path. When these things are there, the seeker must take the path without any hesitation as this is an opportunity which must not be wasted. It is an opportunity to connect to the chain of connection back to the Prophet ﷺ. This will elevate your worship and allow you to get closer to Allah.