"If a man does not recognize the Imam (Wali) of his time, does not accept him as such, treats his orders as already contained in the plain commandments of the Shari'at, ascertains from ordinary theologians ('ulmama-y-i zahir) the indications (ma'ni) of the Coran and the various hadiths concerning the institution of Imamat, and if he acts according to the theologian's opinion, all his pious acts will be fruitless and his troubles useless,–he will finally go to Hell. This is because the correct meaning of the Coran and hadiths is only with the Imam. The Prophet,–peace be upon him,–himself said that whoever accepted his progeny ('itrat) and the Book of God as his guidance would never be lost. The expression "my progeny" refers to the Imam, according to the words of the Coran (III, 30): "....my progeny, one following the other". But the Imam can only be recognized with the help of another Imam, being the person whom the Imam appoints to that office from amongst his own progeny (dhurriyyat). Only he will be the Imam, no one else. Ordinary mortals (makhluq) cannot appoint any one as their Imam. Whomever the Imam selects for (the transfer of) the light of Imamat from amongst his own sons, and confers upon him by an indication (nass) the mysteries of Imamat, that person only is the Imam and a member (aal) of the dynasty. His other sons will be (ordinary) people who deserve salvation (ahl-i najat), if they obey him and serve him.
 
Therefore follow the Imam in order that you may be connected with him , i.e. the Imams, one generation after another. If others have no connection with the Imam, this is because they opposed him, adopting a hostile attitude towards him, and the Imam concealed himself from them, while they began to follow the ordinary theologians,–this is why they err."
 

(Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi, pp.30-31)