"The learned, however, know that the world cannot be without an Imam even for a moment, because if it is, the earth with its population will instantly perish. But their craving for position and importance (in the community) compels them to conceal this, and (outwardly) deny this. Surely, that strife which they had with various prophets and saints was due to this desire to preserve their position of respect.
 
O, believers, it is astonishing to see how one who has no connection with the Imam, yet laughs and rejoices, but it is still more astonishing when one rejects the Imam of the time, and adopts a hostile attitude towards him. He is like a child playing on the edge of the dam of a water mill, or on the roof of a house, or with a snake in his hand. Do you see such inopportune laughter or untimely and out-of-place rejoicing among the ordinary people? It is bound to become the cause of their calamity, their punishment and sorrow.
 
O, believers, O, sincere ones! Smile only then when you are saved from the calamities and perils, when you are out of the whirlpool and on dry land, when you are safely back from the journey. It means, then, that joy will be attained when you arrive at the recognition of the Imam of the time, becoming his faithful and obedient slaves, and not being even for a moment disobedient or forgetful of him. You will then become enlightened by his recognition,–and it is this time which will be appropriate for joy and merriment."
 

(Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi, p.31)