"The pir is the person to whom the Imam of the time has granted his position, which makes him the highest amongst the creations (ashraf-i makhluqat). And whenever he (i.e. the Imam) has chosen the pir, and appointed him, he (the pir) must convey to others the knowledge in detail (ma'rifat-ra ba-tafsil bi-guyad). You must attain perfection in knowledge of the Imam through him. But if he (i.e. the Imam) has not appointed a pir, you must come to know some person amongst the learned (sahiban-i ilm) whom he (i.e. the Imam) has commissioned to guide and to preach to people (ba-dalalat wa da'wat) so that you may attain through the guidance and preaching of such a person (irshad wa da'wat) the recognition of the Imam (ma'rifat-i Imam). Thus you will not remain in wretchedness, attaining through the illumination of his knowledge (rawshana'i-y-i ilm-i u) the recognition of the Imam. And whenever there is a pir, the teachers will take up preaching (da'wat), by his permission, remaining under his control and order."
 

(Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi, p.26)